A new electric vehicle workforce development program is coming to Heartland Community College at the tune of $7.5 million.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Another coronavirus-related death in McLean County; 61 residents hospitalized
The McLean County Health Department Wednesday reported another COVID-related death.… MORE
Connect Transit board sees end to free bus rides
Decision-makers for the Bloomington-Normal public transit system say free bus rides will come to an end soon as more people receive their COVID-19 vaccinations.… MORE
Rivian, Brandt worthy of continued tax breaks, local taxing body says
A local taxing body is reaffirming its commitment offering tax breaks for two businesses in return for creating hundreds of new jobs.… MORE
Federal Real ID deadline extended to May 2023
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White commended the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for extending the federal Real ID deadline to May 3, 2023.… MORE
Local bone density clinic using new ultrasound test; first-of-its-kind in the U.S.
May is National Osteoporosis Month, and a new local business is using a rare opportunity to screen for bone density.… MORE
Bloomington’s mayor-elect deplores ‘racist’ remark against Alderwoman Carrillo
Bloomington’s incoming mayor said everyone in the community, not just Alderwoman Jenn Carrillo, should be held to a higher standard of civil discourse.… MORE
MCHD reports 87 new cases of coronavirus
McLean County added 87 cases of coronavirus Tuesday with the rolling positivity rate going up to 5.3%.… MORE
Crop update as April comes to a close
Some cold soil could have held back the planting for the past week.… MORE
District 87 offering COVID vaccine clinic for students
District 87 is partnering with Carle BroMenn Medical Center to offer COVID-19 vaccines for students.… 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…