A McLean County native is advocating for people seeking asylum in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security said previously denied requests, could begin again.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
DCFS enhances training and resources to support LGBTQI+ youth
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – During this Pride Month, Illinois’ child welfare agency is highlighting a restructuring meant to provide more support for the LGBTQI + community. LGBTQI + stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer / Questioning, Intersex, and more. The chief of this newly constituted division, Marla Courts, says while life has improved…… MORE
Reditus Laboratories identifies additional cases of Delta variant
By Neil Doyle PEKIN – A Pekin-based laboratory has identified two additional cases of the Delta COVID-19 variant, which was first identified in India. During a sequencing run on June 17 at its lab in Pekin, Reditus Laboratories tested 369 randomly selected positive COVID-19 samples. Among the variants identified were 181 of the B.1.1.7 lineage,…… MORE
Ameren blames Mylar balloons for power outage in Livingston County
By HOI ABC CHATSWORTH – Ask about 1,000 Ameren Illinois customers in Livingston County whether they still love balloons. They were without power for a little more than four hours Tuesday because Mylar balloons were stuck to some equipment at an electrical substation in Chatsworth. The balloons blew three fuses, and did what an Ameren…… MORE
IFB President: Inheritance tax would be “absolutely devastating”
The Illinois Farm Bureau does not support a new farm inheritance tax set forth by the Biden Administration.… MORE
Special Olympics underway virtually throughout Illinois
The annual Special Olympics summer games are underway across the state, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, athletes are competing virtually.… MORE
Nonstop Las Vegas flights coming to Central Illinois Regional Airport
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Frontier Airlines will provide new nonstop flights from Central Illinois Regional Airport to Las Vegas beginning this August. FRONTIER AIRLINES ANNOUNCES NONSTOP LAS VEGAS FLIGHTS FROM CENTRAL ILLINOIS REGIONAL AIRPORT Fares as low as $49* https://t.co/p2nWGAoALh #flycira #flyfrontier #Vegas #readysetcira — Central Illinois Regional Airport (@FlyCIRA) June 22, 2021 “We…… MORE
Weekly USDA crop report
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 6.1 days suitable for field work during the week ending June 20. Statewide, the average temperature was 75.2 degrees, 2.2 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.72 inches, 0.27 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 4 percent very short, 28 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 4 percent…… MORE
Normal to continue outdoor dining, council also boosts city manager’s pay above $200K
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Outdoor dining will continue in Normal at least until the end of the year following town council action Monday night. Council members also agreed to give City Manager Pam Reece a pay raise, although one of the elected officials voted against the pay hike. The council voted unanimously to grant Reece…… MORE
Illinois Soybean Association introducing new practices to farmers through PCM program
The Illinois Soybean Association is introducing new farm practices to farmers all across the state.… 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…