As prices at the pump continue to decrease, a recent report details the lack of travel this Thanksgiving holiday.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Medical and public health professionals fighting “misinformation” about coronavirus
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Doctors and public health professionals battling what they call “misinformation” say the media is a problem in at least two ways. “We haven’t had a pandemic or a real big public health problem in quite a few years, and in that time technology snuck in on us,” said Gail O’Neill,…… MORE
Delta suspending service to Detroit from Central Illinois Regional Airport
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The airline industry is still being impacted by the worker shortage and that is causing some services to get suspended here locally. Delta announced its suspending service to Detroit from Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington. CIRA deputy director Fran Strebing spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. “We worked in conjunction…… MORE
Average Thanksgiving dinner up 14% this year
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – As you plan your Thanksgiving Day menu, plan on spending a little more than you did last year. The American Farm Bureau Federation says the national average for dinner for ten this year is $53.31, fourteen percent more than last year. The Illinois average is $58.15. “Probably one of the…… MORE
Normal Theater releases holiday programming schedule
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The holiday season is upon us and the Normal Theater has released its holiday programming schedule. Theater Manager Adam Fox spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. “Kicking off on Black Friday with Home Alone, following up on Saturday afternoon with Miracle on 34th Street, and Sunday with The Muppet Christmas Carol,”…… MORE
Heyworth school bus accident in Shirley
By Neil Doyle SHIRLEY – No kids were injured but the bus driver suffered minor injuries after a car struck a Heyworth school bus Friday morning in Shirley. The McLean County Sheriff’s Office says the accident happened around 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of 1155 East Rd. and 850 North. Authorities say a passenger car travelling…… MORE
BPD probing shots fired on city’s southeast side
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Police are investigating a shooting that happened Friday morning in Bloomington. Officers were called around 6:45 a.m. to the 3000 block of Squall Way for a report of a shooting. When police arrived, evidence was located that a shooting had occured. BPD says no injuries were reported and no arrests…… MORE
Statewide unemployment rate down and jobs were up last month
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – The statewide unemployment rate was down and jobs were up last month in Illinois. October’s jobless rate came in at 6 percent, down from the adjusted 6.2 percent recorded in September, and significantly lower than the over 8 percent unemployment rate at this time last year. State department of employment…… MORE
ISBE superintendent wants to revamp standardized testing
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The bane of many public school teachers and students – standardized testing – could be in for an overhaul, if Illinois State Board of Education superintendent Carmen Ayala gets her way. Her solution: more tests – shorter and more frequent. “A quick assessment result three times a year allows teachers…… MORE
More than 40 McLean County residents receive help for utility bills ahead of holidays
More than 40 McLean County residents are smiling more this holiday season.… 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…