Public school superintendents in Illinois have a new voice, but it’s one familiar to McLean County.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Bloomington man sentenced for attempted enticement of child
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison on Tuesday. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 55-year-old Jeffrey Bosaw was sentenced to 205 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for attempted enticement of a minor. He must also register as a sex offender.…… MORE
Connect Transit announces Christmas hours
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Connect Transit, serving the Bloomington-Normal area, has announced its Christmas Eve and Day hours. The service will be shutting down early on Sunday and will be closed Monday, Christmas Day. Connect Transit has created a schedule showing the last trips and times from different locations in the area. For more information,…… MORE
Farmer City police looking for missing teen
By WMBD-TV FARMER CITY – The Farmer City Police Department asked the public for help locating a missing teen on Tuesday. According to a Farmer City police Facebook post, 16-year-old Raheem Crowder was last seen near Green and Thomas Streets at approximately 7:40 p.m. on Monday. He was last seen wearing a black colored shirt with…… MORE
Natural playground at Colene Hoose inviting more wildlife
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Colene Hoose Elementary School added another aspect for wildlife in its natural playground. On Wednesday, students installed birdhouses at the Ilse and Charlie Jobson Natural Play Park. It was a joint project with volunteers from the John Wesley Powell Audobon Society. There are now seven boxes for bluebirds, one screech owl…… MORE
IDPH chief medical officer: Covid hasn’t gone away
Covid is part of our life now. And the state’s chief medical officer says the now-familiar precautions – frequent handwashing, being careful about being in groups – still apply as you consider holiday dinners and parties.… MORE
New legislation for rural education
By WMBD-TV PEORIA – Rural schools in Illinois fought to have their voices heard. State Senator David Koehler sponsored legislation that was responsible for creating the Rural Education Advisory Council. By law, the council is required to have five superintendents, one principal, and one student. Senator Koehler said rural schools are facing problems like transportation…… MORE
Illinois population drops for 10th year
By WMBD-TV CHICAGO – Illinois underwent its 10th straight year of population decline, according to the Illinois Policy Institute. An Illinois Policy Institute news release states that this year, roughly 83,839 people left the state, or one for every 6 minutes and 16 seconds. However, population outmigration has slowed to pre-pandemic trends after two years of…… MORE
Heartland College announces grant for students with learning challenges
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Heartland Community College announced grant money coming to a program for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. According to a Heartland Community College news release, money from an Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) Innovative Bridge and Transition grant will expand the Heartland Academy for Learning Opportunities (HALO) program. “This funding furthers…… MORE
Illinois minimum wage increasing on Jan. 1
By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – The minimum wage will increase for Illinois residents in 2024. According to an Illinois news release, starting Jan. 1, the minimum wage will see a $1 an hour increase from $13 an hour to $14 an hour. Tipped workers will also see a minimum wage increase to $8.50 an hour, and…… 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…