Several District 87 parents attended Wednesday’s board meeting to share their thoughts and concerns on some district policies.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Children’s Discovery Museum reopens for everyone starting Thursday
For the first time in 14 months, the Children’s Discovery Museum in Uptown Normal is reopening to the public starting Thursday.… MORE
MCHD reports additional COVID-related death, 28 new cases
McLean County added another coronavirus-related death, bringing the number of lives lost to 228.… MORE
State Rep. Brady says Illinois should opt-out of extra unemployment benefits
Illinois should join states around the nation opting out of extra federal unemployment benefits, at least that’s the word from one local lawmaker.… MORE
Peoria, Bloomington leaders reflect, one year after George Floyd’s death
Community leaders in the River City and the Twin Cities say there has been progress towards racial equality, but made it clear there is still a lot more that needs to be done.… MORE
Former Bloomington man charged with homicide from March shooting
A former Bloomington man is charged with three counts of murder after investigators say he played a role in a shooting on the city’s east side in March.… MORE
Hearings on the first version of legislative maps are Tuesday and Wednesday
If anything in the every-ten-years redistricting looks like the familiar playbook, State Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) says it’s this.… MORE
Illinois crops remain strong after a warm, wet week
There were 3.7 days suitable for field work during the week ending May 23.… MORE
MCHD reports 14 new cases of COVID; Rolling positivity rate holds steady
McLean County added 14 cases of coronavirus Tuesday as the number of active cases fell below 200.… MORE
Three retired judges to head panel drawing ‘fair’ district maps for McLean County
Three retired McLean County judges will head up what is promised to be a bipartisan commission assigned to draw up proposed county board district maps for the next ten years.… 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…