Illinois State University’s Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Terri Goss Kinzy as the university’s 20th president. She is the first female president in the school’s history. … MORE
Category Archives: Local News
NFD seeing uptick in stovetop fires, urging residents to not use them as storage
Due to the recent uptick in stovetop fires, the Normal Fire Department urges residents to remove materials on top of stoves to prevent fires.… MORE
McLean County reports another COVID-related death; Pfizer vaccine now available for kids 12-15
There have been 225 lives lost in the county.… MORE
McLean County farmers making good progress
Planting across Illinois is ahead of average, even with some wet weather last week.… MORE
Unit 5 approves new district DEI director
The McLean County Unit 5 School Board has a new director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.… MORE
Multi-million dollar gift to fund ‘world class’ natural playground in Normal
A long-time resident of Normal is giving back to the community in a big way by donating $5.1 million for a “world class natural playground” at his old school.… MORE
Illinois is mounting a big tourism campaign
The state’s look at post-pandemic tourism takes the form of a promotional campaign called “Time for Me to Drive,” a riff off a song by Illinois’ own REO Speedwagon.… MORE
BN Restaurant Week starts Friday
A local event to support restaurant owners, cooks, and servers kicks off Friday.… MORE
MCHD reports 32 new cases of coronavirus
The number of active coronavirus cases in McLean County fell slightly Wednesday to 345.… MORE
Congressman Davis: “Ca’mon, get the vaccine”
A U.S. Representative from Central Illinois is pushing those hesitant to receive their COVID-19 vaccine to get the shot.… 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…