The 20th president of Illinois State University will be announced this Friday.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Elected leaders vote to stay with 10 McLean County Board districts
A contentious debate over the political makeup of the McLean County Board ended Tuesday evening with the board overwhelmingly deciding to keep the status quo.… MORE
State Farm hiring spree prompted by record growth
State Farm Insurance said it is hiring more than 1,500 full-time claims employees to keep up with record growth.… MORE
In Senate floor speech, Sen. Durbin says Normal is taking America “to the next generation”
Speaking on the Senate floor, Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Normal is taking transportation in America “to the next generation.”… MORE
Normal announces updated public pool guidelines with state loosening COVID-19 mitigations
With the state potentially moving into the Bridge Phase of the Restore Illinois plan by the end of the week, public pools in Normal will be adjusting their guidelines.… MORE
Rolling positivity rate holds steady, McLean County reports 24 new cases of COVID
McLean County’s rolling positivity rate held steady at 3.5% as local health officials Tuesday reported 24 new cases of coronavirus. … MORE
U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger sizes up the Republican Party
The most talked about Republican in Illinois talks about today’s GOP.… MORE
‘Welcoming city’ debate isn’t over, says Alderwoman Carrillo
Bloomington City Council member Jenn Carrillo still wants the council to pass a “welcoming city” ordinance to protect undocumented immigrants from possible deportation.… MORE
State’s major cash crops are better than average
The cool, wet weather could have been a relief to some farmers concerned about dryness as the planting season continues.… MORE
2 Republicans break ranks over McLean County redistricting proposal
A second Republican is having doubts about a GOP-backed plan to dramatically change the way county board districts are drawn in McLean County.… 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…