By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – State lawmakers are working on legislation to further address the teacher shortage in Illinois. The problem is serious, especially in hard to staff areas say supporters. A bill from Senator Meg Loughran-Cappel of Shorewood extends the number of days that substitute teachers filling an emergency vacancy can work in the…… MORE
A Bloomington teenager is facing charges in McLean County after investigators say he was involved in a shooting in early April.… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – It was an emotional evening at Wednesday’s Unit 5 School Board Meeting as new members took office. It was the last meeting at the table for Board President Barry Hitchins and Alan Kalitzky. Mark Adams and Alex Williams took a seat at the table for the first time. Kelly Pyle and…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A Danvers man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Melissa Ostrom. 41-year-old Josh Livingston was arrested Wednesday and is being held at the McLean County Jail, according to a news release from the Bloomington Police Department. No bond information is available. Ostrom was reported missing on April…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council gave its approval Monday night for plans linked to Connect Transit’s downtown bus transfer hub. Council members voted in favor 7-2 for Connect Transit to set up shop at the Market Street Garage located at 202 West Market Street. The two opposing votes were Ward 1…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The city of Bloomington announced it would continue to have free downtown concerts this summer as part of the Saturday on the Square series. Regional acts would come to perform family-friendly concerts on the downtown square from 6 to 10 p.m. This series is presented by Pantagraph Media and The Castle Theatre in partnership with the City…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 3.7 days suitable for fieldwork in the week ending April 23, 2023. Statewide, the average temperature was 50.9 degrees, 4.1 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.66 inches; 0.25 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 26 percent…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man was arrested in connection to an Ohio murder by the U.S. Marshal Service Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force Friday. According to a U.S. Marshal’s news release, 35-year-old Martino Giles has been wanted by the Cleveland Ohio Division of Police for homicide since 2015. Giles allegedly shot and killed…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – A man accused of sexually assaulting a teen last year has been arrested as a result of an investigation by the Normal Police Department. Thirty five year old Labarte Robinson of Normal, has had his bond set at $1 million. Robinson was charged on Wednesday of last week by a…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – District 87 has filled a vacancy on it’s school board. Following Fitzgerald Samedy’s resignation from the board back in mid-Feburary, Regional Superintendent Mark Jontry has listed Cathy Lust as Samedy’s replacement. Samedy had stepped down from the school board after being charged with a repeat drunken driving conviction. Jontry selected…… 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…