The rolling positivity rate in McLean County continues to rise and is the highest it has been since early February.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Renner reflects on time in office with the election less than two weeks away
After announcing he won’t seek a third term earlier this year, Bloomington’s Mayor reflects on his time in office less than two weeks before election day.… MORE
COVID vaccine given to 64 McLean County Jail inmates Wednesday, sheriff says
McLean County Jail inmates got COVID-19 vaccines at the jail on Wednesday, but the sheriff told Heart of Illinois-ABC only about a quarter of them wanted the shot.… MORE
As strike vote looms, ISU graduate teaching assistants plan ‘silent protest’
The union representing more than 400 graduate teaching assistants at Illinois State University plan on staging a “silent protest” Thursday, ahead of a planned strike authorization vote early next month.… MORE
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood on vaccine hesitancy
Central Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) has received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and is encouraging others to do the same.… MORE
Rolling positivity rate above 4%; McLean County adds 38 new coronavirus cases
McLean County’s rolling positivity rate inched up to 4.2% as local health officials Wednesday reported 38 new cases of COVID-19.… MORE
After over 2 years of fighting, McLean County man has 5 felony charges dropped
After more than two years, several hospital visits, countless documents and paperwork, Lavonte Rayford is free of five felony charges. His mother calls what happened involuntary intoxication. The prosecutor said it was a mental health issue.… MORE
Connect Transit expects to start collecting fares again in June
Connect Transit passengers in the Twin-Cities can ride public buses for free until the end of May, but they’re on notice they’ll probably have to pay fares again starting in June.… MORE
Illinois lawmakers discuss the problem of suicide, challenge of early detection
The problem of suicide – and the challenge of early detection – were before a Senate committee.… MORE
Governor signs four economic equity and opportunity bills
After two decades in Springfield, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) says she finally sees why she is dissatisfied driving home after every May 31.… 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…