By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – This may be another big year for winter wheat in Illinois. According to the July production report, harvested wheat acres are estimated at 720,000, up 110,000 from last year. Crop statistician Mark Schleusener says the yield should be strong. “NASS forecast the 2022 wheat yield to be 79 bushels per…… MORE
By Neil Doyle TOWANDA – A local man has died after a two-vehicle crash Tuesday morning in rural Towanda. Michael Simpsen, 50, of Normal died from extensive multiple blunt force injuries due to a pickup truck and automobile collision, reportedly sustained as the driver of the pickup truck, according to McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder.…… MORE
A late Monday-night letter to employees confirms Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe is looking at “adopting major cost down efforts” on the heels of a report suggesting layoffs.… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A man from Normal has been charged with possession of child pornography, Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office announced today. Andrew F. Bachman, 32, was charged in McLean County Circuit Court with 11 counts of possession of child pornography. Each of these are class 2 felonies punishable by three to seven…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – On July 5, Miller Park Zoo received a baby mulefoot hog and the Zoo needs your help to name him before his public debut in August. In late May, a litter of mulefoot hogs were born at Coop’s Mound Mulefoots in Carlinville, Ill. From that litter, one male was chosen…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington is advising the public of a carp disease at Lake Bloomington. After numerous messages from the Lake Bloomington Community, it’s reported that there is a large number of dead fish at the lake. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has noted the situation is not a…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 4.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending July 10, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 77.5 degrees, 1.5 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 2.07 inches, 1.22 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 9 percent very short, 22 percent short, 59 percent adequate, and 10…… MORE
By HOI ABC and WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington City Council members didn’t vote Monday night on a proposal for parking ticket amnesty that would benefit area kids. Several questions came up about repeat parking ticket offenders, more than 50 of them, and whether they should have to pay. Under the proposal, the city would…… MORE
According to a report from Bloomberg, Rivian Automotive is on the verge of laying off hundreds of workers.… MORE
An Alton man is behind bars in McLean County for allegedly keeping a woman hostage in LeRoy over the weekend.… 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…