By Dave Dahl Before child fingerprint / DNA identification kits became widely available, the critical early hours were lost. “In 1997, when Amber Hagerman was taken,” said Kenny Hansmire, executive director of the National Child Identification Program, “her mother struggled to find DNA and fingerprint information, so law enforcement had to go in and fingerprint…… MORE
26 inmates and six staff members at the McLean County Jail have tested positive for COVID-19, despite the detention facility’s protocols and procedures.… MORE
BLOOMINGTON – Hospital beds in McLean County are at capacity as health officials report 162 new cases of COVID-19.… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL-The Illinois Community College Board has awarded Heartland Community College with a $1,050,000 Workforce Equity Initiative Grant to support programs and support. The grant engages African american, Latinx, and low-income learners to get career training that can move them quickly into the workforce. Director of Public Information at HCC, Steve Fast, shared…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – State lawmakers and one of the big teachers’ unions in the state are arm-in-arm on a new proposal to try to make schools safer. Legislation – still being drawn up – would crack down on school districts which do not follow security mandates. And it’s easy for State Rep. Fred…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Among those getting a new job in the New Year is Toi Hutchinson. She is a former state senator from Chicago’s south suburbs and has been Gov. JB Pritzker’s chief advisor on cannabis. But she is taking to the national stage as president and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project.…… MORE
A Peoria man appeared in federal court on Wednesday on charges alleging he stole weapons at ‘Smiley’s Sports Shop’ in Bloomington.… MORE
A local organization is spreading kindness this holiday season by paying the cost of admission for 100 local children to Miller Park Zoo.… MORE
By Jake Fogal As Christmas approaches, the Salvation Army is looking for donations towards their Red Kittle Campaign. The Red Kittle Campaign lends a hand towards raising money for those who need it most in communities nationwide. They provide toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry and other social service programs…… MORE
A local legislator says the top elected leader in Illinois will have to “moderate his approach” if he’s thinking about running for a higher office.… 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…