The USDA is out with its Ag Census, which is produced every five years.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Owner of Clinton Power Plant looking to extend contract to 2047
Constellation, the owner of Clinton’s power plant, filed a license renewal application to keep the plant operating for another 20 years.… MORE
Norovirus cases on the rise in Central Illinois
By WMBD-TV TREMONT – A highly contagious virus that can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, norovirus, commonly referred to as the stomach flu, is seeing an uptick in cases in the central Illinois region. Health departments do not have exact numbers, as norovirus is only reportable during an outbreak. This is according to Megan Hanley,…… MORE
Route 66 Commission accepting ideas for anniversary celebration
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission is accepting ideas to celebrate the iconic routes 100th anniversary. According to Rod Reid, the Chair of the Route 66 Centennial Commission, Congress established the commission to oversee the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. The Commission is looking for submissions…… MORE
Unidentified man dies in van fire in Dwight
Authorities in Dwight want to learn how a vehicle fire claimed the life of an unidentified man.… MORE
Indoor pickleball franchise expanding to Central Illinois
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Pickle Ball players can look forward to new indoor pickleball locations in central Illinois. According to a news release, The Picklr is expanding its indoor pickleball franchise to Bloomington-Normal. It will be located at 1503 E. College Avenue in Normal and is expected to open in Fall 2024. “We are thrilled…… MORE
Comptroller Susana Mendoza honors five Illinoisans during Black History Month
It’s Black History Month, and Comptroller Susana Mendoza honored five Illinoisans who are helping others.… MORE
Second alarm sounded for Bloomington apartment fire; several units impacted
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – No one is injured from an early morning apartment building fire in Bloomington that led to a second alarm being sounded. A second alarm means the initial crew needed more help to battle the blaze at the Brickyard Apartments, 20 Brickyard Drive. Off-duty firefighters and crews from the Normal Fire Department were…… MORE
McLean County woman who died in fire identified by coroner
McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder has identified the woman who died in a fire Monday afternoon just outside the Twin-Cities.… MORE
Illinois State University Presidential search down to four candidates
The search for Illinois State University’s next President is down to four candidates.… 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…