By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – We’ve been hearing about the teacher shortage for years, and Alan Mather – a 33-year veteran of Chicago Public Schools – is trying to do something about it. The Golden Apple Foundation, of which he is president, is trying to elevate the profession. “Our ‘accelerators’ program, which is primarily for…… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Equality Illinois and the Prairie Pride Coalition teamed up to host a LGBTQ+ Town Hall on Monday. It was held at First United Methodist Church in Normal. The town hall gave residents the chance to connect with State Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) and State Rep. Sharon Chung (D-Bloomington) about legislation that interests their community.…… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Rivian Automotive is expected to announce a reorganization plan that will move more employees to its Normal, Ill. and Irvine, Calif. locations. According to the Wall Street Journal, someone familiar with the plan said that the reorganization will relocate part of its engineering team to help speed up production. Part of the…… MORE
By WMBD-TV HEYWORTH – Some parents of students who attend Heyworth Jr. High School are upset about a book that they say sat on the shelf in a teacher’s classroom that talked about sexuality. The book in question is titled “This Book Is Gay” by Juno Dawson. Amazon lists the book for ages 14 to…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Police are investigating a swatting incident after fake gun threats were reported against Bloomington schools Thursday. According to a Bloomington police press release, officers were notified of a threat of gun violence against an unspecified Bloomington school at approximately 6:45 a.m. Officers responded to all Bloomington schools over the course of…… MORE
By WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – Elmo Quinn, a longtime local business owner and 2019 recipient of the WJBC Don Munson Spirit of McLean County award, died Wednesday at the age of 82. Owner of the Quinn Shell gas station just north of downtown Bloomington, it was operated by the family for 72 years before it…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Given the abundance of possibilities, you would think it would be difficult to select Illinois’ official state nut. State Rep. Sharon Chung (D-Bloomington) says that’s not the case. “The wood of the black walnut tree is highly valued by furniture makers for its durability and attractive color, and the nuts…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Police Department reported the total number of DUI arrests made over St. Patrick’s Day weekend. According to a Bloomington police press release, officers actively patrolled for impaired drivers from March 17 to March 19. Officers arrested seven impaired drivers. One of the arrests was made after a crash caused…… MORE
By WMBD-TV PEORIA – Aaron Rossi, the former CEO of Reditus Labs, appeared in Tazewell County Court in relation to the case with his ex-business partner Dr. James Davies. Rossi and his former attorney, Michael Evans, were expected to be called to the stand, but that did not happen. At the center of the argument is…… MORE
By Jake Fogal and Blake Haas FAIRBURY – According to a newsletter to the school community, two Prairie Central High School students have died in a skiing-related accident. A letter from Prairie Central Superintendant Paula Crane was released earlier this morning saying the accident happened Sunday in Colorado. According to the Daily Leader in Pontiac,…… 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…