Less than a week after an Illinois State University graduate student died in a car accident near ISU’s campus, a Normal Town Council Member said the Town of Normal is looking into the intersection and ways to make it safer.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Bloomington Public Library receives a $5.68M grant to help with an expansion project
The Bloomington Public Library received a significant grant from the State of Illinois to help pay for an expansion project.… MORE
NPD: Watch out for ‘porch pirates’ during the holiday season
As the holidays quickly approach, the Normal Police Department warns those ordering online to keep an eye on their package once it arrives.… MORE
Local health officials report three more COVID-related deaths since Friday
Three more McLean County residents have died from COVID-19, as county health officials report 295 new cases of the virus since Friday.… MORE
ISP further reduces FOID card backlog
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Police are announcing a significant decrease in the backlog of FOID cards that need to be processed. ISP Trooper Jason Wilson says the FOID card backlog in November of last year reached nearly 139,000, but has now been whittled down to 7,800. Processing times currently average about 38…… MORE
Illinois gas prices inch down over the week
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices in Illinois are down three cents this week, averaging $3.49 a gallon, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 4,378 stations in Illinois. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Illinois is priced at $2.79 while the most expensive is $4.52. Gas prices in the state are…… MORE
Illinois’ community colleges trying to help students’ mental health
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – It’s the right time for higher education to meet students’ needs for mental health, and the Illinois Community College Board has heard how technology is helping. Lincoln Land Community College vice president Lesley Frederick says the solution is two-pronged: telehealth and outsourcing. “Most of us in small colleges just don’t…… MORE
“Now Hiring” signs are still all around
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Here’s a twist on the “labor shortage” story. A recent report showed a sixteen percent jump in costs related to hiring people and other HR-related matters. And that’s if you can find people to hire. Illinois Manufacturers’ Association president and CEO Mark Denzler says there’s more to manufacturing than simply…… MORE
Illinois attorney general on retail theft
By Dave Dahl CHICAGO – In announcing the seizure of millions of dollars’ worth of stolen goods – enough to fill eight storage units, or four semi-trailers – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says it does not stop here. Raoul told reporters in Chicago Friday that the incident “hopefully keeps us from making the mistake…… MORE
U of I Flash index remains above the break-even mark
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ economic performance continues. A monthly reading of the state’s activity, the Flash index, is up a tick from 105.4 to 105.5 as of the first of December. The index, authored by University of Illinois economics professor Fred Giertz, considers consumer spending, corporate earnings, and personal income. The month’s rise,…… 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…