While 70% of Illinois residents 65 years and older have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, not all of the metrics needed to advance to the Bridge Phase and on to Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan have been met.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
About 77% of McLean County residents 65 and older have received one dose
While vaccination numbers have slightly improved in McLean County, the health department’s administrator says more COVID-19 vaccines are needed.… MORE
MCHD: Concerning increase in positive COVID-19 cases
McLean County added 106 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, the most reported in a single-day since the end of January.… MORE
District 87 doubling in-person school days
Students in Bloomington School District 87 headed back to the classroom Tuesday, almost full time.… MORE
State Farm sets goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030
One of the nation’s largest insurance companies says its working to cut its greenhouse gasses by 50% in less than 10 years.… MORE
Teenager from Normal dies in boating accident
A teenager from Normal, who is a freshman at Iowa State University, was one of two students that died in a boating accident Sunday.… MORE
University Farm continues to teach ISU students
The Illinois State University farm has been around since 1914, and while its moved around over the years, its been located in Lexington since 2003.… MORE
29 new coronavirus cases in McLean County; Rolling positivity rate remains 4.9%
Local health officials Tuesday reported 29 new cases of coronavirus in McLean County.… MORE
Congressman Davis tours mass vaccination site in Bloomington and calls it ‘bittersweet’
Central Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis toured the mass vaccination site at Grossinger Motors Arena on Tuesday and called the visit ‘bittersweet.’… MORE
Outdoor dining applications open for Bloomington bars, restaurants
Bloomington bars and restaurants can now apply online to offer outdoor dining to customers.… 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…