By HOI ABC SPRINGFIELD – As production of electric vehicles begins at the Rivian plant in Normal, governors from Illinois and four other states announced Thursday they’re working together to speed up building the infrastructure needed to charge those vehicles throughout the region. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and chief executives from Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and…… MORE
Since Wednesday, the McLean County Health Department reports 64 new cases of COVID-19.… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Government officials have removed a painting of the late Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day from the site of a much-talked about mural in Uptown Normal, but a spokesperson said the town is working with ISU to find an alternative site for the work. An anonymous artist created the…… MORE
Authorities investigating the death of Illinois State University graduate student Jelani Day said Wednesday they have ruled out a young man as a person of interest in the case.… MORE
The Town of Normal is reminding residents of options available for water bill repayment and assistance.… MORE
By Blake Haas TAZEWELL COUNTY – The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying recent thefts of multiple stop signs in the county. During the week of May 19, Heritage Lake reported eight stop signs and poles, one speed “bump ahead,” and the large decorative Heritage Lake entrance sign was…… MORE
Local leaders are speaking out after a variety of shootings in the twin cities this summer.… MORE
In the pumpkin capital of the world, the pumpkin crop is “surprisingly good” after a wet summer.… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Normal Mayor Chris Koos was one of several local leaders who got to test drive Rivian’s R1T pickup truck earlier this week. The vehicles are starting to roll off the production line, and Koos says he is very impressed with Rivian’s growth since coming to town. “When they talked to…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s city government faces a possible lawsuit from several homeowners who want compensation for cleaning up sewage that contaminated their property during last June’s storms. Local attorney Will Mahrt told our news partner Heart of Illinois ABC he represents 10 homeowners in the Eastgate neighborhood, and in an area west…… 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…