By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The airline industry continues to be impacted by a labor shortage and rising gas prices. But what does that mean for smaller airports? Air fares are increasing across the country, and that includes flights to and from Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington. CIRA deputy director Fran Strebing spoke with…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Voters in the Town of Normal may see a referendum on the November ballot. It depends if petitioners can get enough signatures to change from at-large representation to a district system on the town council. There are six council members representing roughly 54,000 residents in Normal and it’s always been…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A wind turbine would tower above the Rivian plant in west Normal if the town’s government signs off on the electric vehicle maker’s plans next month. The company’s wind project aims to deliver to customers its pickup and sport utility vehicles charged with on-site renewable energy. Earlier this year, Rivian…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.9 days suitable for field work during the week ending June 19, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 78.8 degrees, 5.9 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.50 inches, 0.51 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 2 percent very short, 29 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 1…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Full-time faculty at Heartland Community College have a new contract giving pay raises in each of the next three years. The college’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday night on a deal with the Heartland Faculty Association (HFA) giving the instructors a 2 1/2% pay increase the first year, a…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Student athletes, coaches and teams from around the area were recognized Tuesday night during the 13th annual State Farm Student-Athlete Recognition Banquet. It was the first banquet since 2019 due to COVID. Over 100 people attended the event at The Chateau Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington. Speakers during the…… MORE
The Town of Normal is considering joining its twin-city counterparts by installing license plate reading cameras.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The thanks U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon) gets for going against former President Donald Trump is a death threat. A letter in the mail calls out Kinzinger’s wife and five-month-old son by name, says Kinzinger will be executed, but don’t worry – the wife and baby will join him in…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – A man from Normal says he has to resign his two government jobs after Governor JB Pritzker nominated him to serve on the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. Matthew Coates is giving up his full-time job as Bloomington School District 87′s Director of Communications and his part-time role as District 4…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices in Illinois are slightly down over the week, averaging $5.57 a gallon, according to GasBuddy. Prices are down about 5 cents from last week, but gas is still up about 55 cents compared to a month ago and prices are $2.33 higher than a year ago in Illinois.…… 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…