Hundreds of people gathered in the twin-cites on Friday to hold a demonstration and march for late Illinois State University student Jelani Day.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
UPDATE: Man dead after shooting on Bloomington’s near east side
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A 30-year-old man is dead after a shooting Thursday night in Bloomington. Police were called around 9 p.m. to the 800 block of East Washington Street. Police say a man was lying on the ground with apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to Carle BroMenn Medical Center. The man was…… MORE
Man seriously wounded in shooting on Bloomington’s near east side
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police say they are investigating a Thursday evening shooting on the city’s near east side that seriously wounded a man. A police lieutenant said the man is hospitalized with serious to life-threatening injuries after a shooting that was reported shortly before 9 p.m. in the 800 block of East…… MORE
Bloomington High School student arrested for bringing loaded gun to school
A Bloomington High School student is under arrest after school administrators say they found him in possession of a loaded gun at school.… MORE
Government panel backs Rivian expansion plans
NORMAL – Rivian is a step closer to making its biggest expansion yet at the factory in northwest Normal.… MORE
Town of Normal starting leaf collection process on Monday
As central Illinois heads into the winter, the Town of Normal begins fall leaf cleanup on Monday.… MORE
Local health officials report two additional COVID-related deaths; county death total increases to 278
Two additional people in McLean County have died from COVID-19, as health officials report 52 new cases of COVID-19.… MORE
Unit 5 working on vaccination clinics for children ages 5 through 11
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – McLean County’s largest school district is working with a local hospital to offer COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 5-11. Unit 5 Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle says the district is partnering with Carle BroMenn to offer those vaccines. She spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. “Last time I heard we had over…… MORE
Illinois’ economy took a small step back during October
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ economy took a small step back during October. University of Illinois Flash index author Fred Giertz, an economics professor, presents a monthly snapshot of the state’s economic activity. The index slipped from 106.0 to 105.4 from the start of October to the start of November. Giertz sees two reasons.…… MORE
Six Unit 5 employees suing district over COVID-19 vaccine mandate
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Claiming unfair treatment and violation of their collective bargaining agreement, some Unit 5 employees are suing the district’s school board over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate. A more-than-150-page document filed with the court in Woodford County is led by six Unit 5 employees, two of whom – according to the report…… 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…