By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Local health officials are reminding people, especially those who are unvaccinated, that the COVID delta variant is present in Central Illinois. “We know it to be more infectious than previously detected variants, so that is one of the reasons why we are seeing an increase in cases,” said McLean County…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Nearly 2,000 cases of COVID-19 were reported Thursday in Illinois, the highest one day total since early May. The latest daily total is 1,993 cases and six additional deaths. Gov. JB Pritzker says they are carefully watching the numbers. “We are constantly monitoring COVID across the state and we will…… MORE
Electric vehicle maker Rivian confirmed on Thursday it’s looking for a site to build an additional manufacturing facility, but the company and Normal’s mayor said the local factory is the springboard for Rivian’s growth.… MORE
More than a month after historic flooding in the Twin Cities, the Salvation Army of Bloomington is working with those impacted by the flooding.… MORE
The vaccination clinic at Grossinger Motors Arena is shutting down operations next week.… MORE
A Decatur man faces multiple money laundering charges in the Twin Cities for his role in a burglary ring that operated across central Illinois in 2018.… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – As school districts across Illinois gear up for a new school year, the big question is will masks be required? Gov. Pritzker says individual school districts need to set their own policies. District 87 Superintendent Dr. Barry Reilly says they hope to have an announcement in the next week or…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Normal Community High School is honoring a longtime coach by naming the football field after him. The Unit 5 School Board Wednesday night approved renaming the venue Dick Tharp Field, paying tribute to the Ironmen’s head coach from 1968 to 1988. Tharp’s 158 wins is the most in school history. During…… MORE
By WJBC Staff PONTIAC – Pontiac Mayor Bill Alvey says plans are moving forward for the Threshermen’s Parade. Earlier this summer, the Pontiac Area Chamber of Commerce had announced that it didn’t have enough resources to successfully mount the annual event. Alvey says the city is now partnering with the chamber and the project is falling…… MORE
By Neil Doyle PEORIA – Parents and guardians in the Catholic Diocese of Peoria will decide whether or not their child will wear a mask or will be vaccinated against COVID-19 for the upcoming school year. “The Office of Catholic Schools (OCS) consulted the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Diocese of Belleville, the Diocese of Joliet,…… 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…