For the first time since 2018, the Federal Reserve approved its first interest rate increase by a quarter percentage point or 25 basis points.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
IDOC informs state lawmakers about their plans to downsize Pontiac and Vandalia prisons
The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is informing lawmakers about their plans to downsize the Pontiac and Vandalia Correctional Centers.… MORE
Reditus Labs CEO charged with filing false tax returns by federal grand jury
By HOI ABC PEORIA – Reditus Labs CEO Dr. Aaron Rossi has been charged by a federal grand jury with three counts of making and subscribing a false tax return. The federal indictment describes the years this allegedly happened – 2015-2017. Reditus Labs did not open until June 2019. Rossi, 39, of Bloomington is accused…… MORE
Normal Police officer honored for talking armed man out of suicide
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Normal Police are recognizing the life-saving work of one of their officers who talked an armed man out of committing suicide late last year. Officer Melanie Crays is being given the department’s Award of Meritorious Service for her actions after she was called to a local motel December 10. On…… MORE
Bloomington City Manager looking to turn Grossinger Motors Arena around; hiring new entertainment director
A year after the City of Bloomington took over management of Grossinger Motors Arena, the city’s manager is on the lookout for an entertainment director.… MORE
State higher Ed. board approves new College of Engineering at Illinois State University
A new College of Engineering is coming to Illinois State University – designed with a focus on equity to help close long-standing gaps in enrollment, retention, and graduation of underrepresented and underserved students in the engineering field.… MORE
McLean County Coroner ID’s Chenoa woman involved in a crash
A 44-year old woman from Chenoa, who died in a car accident early Monday morning, has been identified.… MORE
Bradley University is starting an online class in songwriting
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – There’s no guarantee of royalties, but that’s show business. Bradley University in Peoria is offering an online course in songwriting. It’s a certificate, not-for-credit course, and Peoria troubadour Barry Cloyd is one of the instructors. “The first part (of the process) is the inspiration,” says Cloyd. “And if you are…… MORE
Filing for the June primary is over
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Candidates who believe being last on the list on the ballot give them an edge showed up for the final hour of filing Monday at the Illinois State Board of Elections in Springfield. Despite a lack of evidence that ballot position matters, it’s custom for candidates to line up early…… MORE
Bloomington City Council addresses deadly violence at home and abroad
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A war on foreign soil and deadly violence at home were addressed Monday night by Bloomington City Council members. The city’s mayor said he wants the community’s Russian sister city relationship to continue, while an alderwoman is renewing her pushing for a special commission to study gun violence. At Monday…… 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…