The task force, led by the FBI and local law enforcement, is offering a reward for anyone with information about the death of Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Illinois gas prices inch down over the week
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Illinois gas prices have fallen six cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.43 a gallon. Accoridng to GasBuddy, prices in Illinois are five cents lower than a month ago, but still $1.27 higher than last year. GasBuddy price reports show the cheapest station in Illinois is priced at…… MORE
Dozens of guns stolen from Bloomington store, second break-in also reported
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – More than two dozen guns are missing after a Sunday morning burglary in Bloomington. Bloomington Police say 25 guns were stolen from ‘Smiley’s Sports Shop’ just after 5:30 a.m.. That includes 24 pistols and one rifle. Those guns were not locked up well enough, according to police. They also say…… MORE
Free Bloomington-Normal Christmas Concert scheduled at the BCPA
By Jake Fogal The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts is inviting Bloomington-Normal residents to it’s annual community Christmas concert. “The BCPA is the perfect performance space for this free holiday concert,” said City of Bloomington’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Marketing Manager, Thom Rakestraw. The concert is slated for December 16, at 7:00 p.m.…… MORE
Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor displays three locations in Central IL
By Jake Fogal Continuing its holiday tradition, America’s Gold Star Families and Sgt. Anthony Maddox Memorial have partnered up to sponsor this year’s Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor event. This seasonal tradition offers a celebration of life to military service men and women who defended our country and sacrificed their lives. In their honor, three…… MORE
Report: Georgia beats out Texas & Arizona in Rivian Automotive sweepstakes
By Heart of Illinois ABC NORMAL-Rivian Automotive, making electric vehicles in Normal, has picked Georgia as the site of its second factory, according to a published report. Bloomberg reported Friday that Rivian is planning to announce it has chosen Georgia to build EVs and batteries, citing people familiar with the site selection process who don’t want to…… MORE
Prosecutors deny new trial plea by convicted killer
By Heart of Illinois ABC BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man serving a life sentence after being convicted of killing his daughter is hoping to find justice for his daughter and be exonerated- but it looks like that process could be delayed. Bart McNeil, 62, was convicted of killing his three-year-old daughter Christina McNeil in July…… MORE
City of Bloomington deliberating for share of massive opioid settlement
By Heart of Illinois ABC BLOOMINGTON-Bloomington aldermen are expected to decide Monday night whether to become part of the nationwide settlement compensating taxpayers for costs related to the opioid epidemic. Local governments have until January 2 to decide if they are “opting-in” on a nationwide settlement of a lawsuit with opioid distributors and manufacturers in…… MORE
Saturday session scheduled to decide on $11.5 million Illinois State practice dome by university trustees
By Jake Fogal Illinois State’s governing board has planned a session for Saturday at 10:30 a.m. to discuss the athletic department’s $11.5 million concept for and indoor practice facility for ISU atheltics. A report to ISU’s board of trustees claims Redbird Athletics has raised almost $7 million for the project, $1 million short of the…… MORE
COVID-19 cases rising in McLean County
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON- One-hundred and sixteen McLean County residents have been marked withCOVID-19. Thirty-one of which have been admitted into local hospitals. McLean County hospitals are reporting 88% of ICU beds in use, nearing full capacity as cases rise throughout the area. There have been 290 COVID-19 related-deaths in McLean County. Officials report that…… 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…