Category Archives: Local News

Normal reintroducing Moratz Facade Grant

Normal reintroducing Moratz Facade Grant

By WMBD-TV The Normal Uptown Design Review Commission voted to move forward with reintroducing the Moratz Facade Grant on Monday. The grant will allow businesses and property owners to make exterior improvements to their buildings. Owners can receive $1,000 per linear foot for wall areas that are visible to the public. The grant will be…MORE

North Normal cannabis dispensary plans proposed to Town Council

North Normal cannabis dispensary plans proposed to Town Council

By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Town of Normal leaders are being urged once more to ratify plans for a second recreational cannabis business on the town’s north side. The proposal was submitted by Illinois Health And Wellness LLC, who has applied for a special use permit to plant a new dispensary dubbed “Revolution” in a…MORE

Normal Police probe shooting at apartment complex

Normal Police probe shooting at apartment complex

By Neil Doyle and WMBD-TV NORMAL – Two people were injured after a shooting Monday night on the north side of Normal. The incident happened in the 700 block of Orlando Avenue at the Orlando Northbrook Estates, according to our news partner WMBD-TV. Police told WMBD-TV that two adult males were shot and transported to…MORE

Fuel costs trickle down in latest GasBuddy Price Report

Fuel costs trickle down in latest GasBuddy Price Report

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices continue to drop across the state as the latest gas report shows prices at the pump are down less than a cent over the past week. According to GasBuddy, prices in Illinois are 8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 81 cents a gallon…MORE

U of I expert sees no downside in four-day work week

U of I expert sees no downside in four-day work week

By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The practice of the four-day work week is growing in Europe, and a University of Illinois expert sees no downside. And labor and employment relations professor Bob Bruno says the concept is not new. “A good third or more of workers do not work Monday-through-Friday, and there is simply no…MORE

Sunday morning house fire on Bloomington’s east side

Sunday morning house fire on Bloomington’s east side

By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Emergency crews responded Sunday morning to a house fire on Bloomington’s east side. Firefighters were called just before 7:30 a.m. to 53 Prenzler Drive for reports of a fire on the first floor of a two-story house. The fire was located in the center of the home and was quickly…MORE

Logan County mourns officer stricken while on duty at the courthouse

Logan County mourns officer stricken while on duty at the courthouse

By 25 News LINCOLN – A retired Lincoln Police chief, and more recently the chief of security at the Logan County Courthouse is being remembered for his dedication, his bravery and heroism. Robert “Bob” Rawlins, 63, suffered a medical emergency while on duty at the courthouse, and died just before noon on Tuesday, said Logan…MORE

Victim Identified: Deadly February crash in McLean County

Victim Identified: Deadly February crash in McLean County

By 25 News MCLEAN COUNTY – Authorities have identified the victim of a Tuesday morning crash on Interstate 55. Cory Geist, 25, has been identified as the driver who died in a two-vehicle crash on I-55 Southbound near LaGrange Road, or mile post 146 near McLean. It was just before 2:00 a.m. when Geist’s box truck…MORE

Rivian sees profitability in 2024 despite losses in the billions

Rivian sees profitability in 2024 despite losses in the billions

By 25 News NORMAL – Electric vehicle-maker Rivian Automotive expects it won’t be losing billions of dollars much longer. Company executives released fourth quarter and full-year results on Tuesday, also predicting Rivian will become profitable in 2024 while ramping up production at its plant in Normal. Rivian said it lost almost $6.8 billion in 2022,…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…