By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois has a First Lady, MK Pritzker, who outbid her husband, Gov. JB Pritzker, for the grand champion steer at the Illinois State Fair’s Governor’s Sale of Champions Tuesday night. It was the second auction in a row in which the Pritzkers engaged in a bidding war, and the second…… MORE
A project in Uptown Normal that’s been in the works for well over four years is finally seeing new development.… MORE
Things will look a little more Normal at Illinois States’ Hancock stadium this year after the stadium was empty last year due to COVID-19.… MORE
Bloomington Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspected of allegedly using stolen credit cards at various businesses in the twin cities.… MORE
From USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 4.6 days suitable for field work during the week ending August 15, 2021. Statewide, the average temperature was 76.9 degrees, 3.2 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.70 inches, 0.80 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 2 percent very short, 12 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 10…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – A local entertainment venue is requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for all indoor shows through the end of September. The Castle Theatre in Bloomington made that announcement Monday on Facebook. The venue says patrons will be asked to show either a valid vaccination card or the negative…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Opponents of alcohol sales at One Normal Plaza scored a partial victory Monday night, as the town council adopted an amended zoning code that does not include liquor or wine shops. The council also accepted plans for a downsized development in Uptown Normal which keeps a popular mural at its current…… MORE
By HOi ABC BLOOMINGTON – A narrow Bloomington City Council majority favors continued discussions about providing near-term financial help to flood victims even as elected leaders look at longer-term flood-related repairs costing many millions of dollars. At a committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday night, five of the nine council members backed Mollie Ward’s proposal directing staff to come…… MORE
A Central Illinois drive-in theater is back open after Gibson City received record levels of rainfall.… MORE
The Ward 6 vacancy to replace former Councilmember Jenn Carillo has is down to 10 applicants.… 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…