The governing board of Heartland Community College will decide next week whether students should pay more to attend the school based in Normal.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Governor rolls out his budget proposal Wednesday
We’ll find out more at noon Wednesday just what Gov. JB Pritzker has in his budget proposal for the twelve months starting July 1.… MORE
Early morning train derailment
A major freight train derailment occurred early Saturday morning between Vernon Avenue and Fell Street in Normal.… MORE
Radio Bloomington St. Jude Radiothon raises $91,426
The 13th annual Radio Bloomington-St. Jude Radiothon wrapped up Friday, helping raise funds for children with cancer.… MORE
It’s a Presidential birthday
How do you blow out 212 candles?… MORE
Extreme cold this weekend dangerous for people and pets
With the bitterly cold conditions across central Illinois, health officials are reminding people to bundle up and limit your time outside. But it’s also important to keep on an eye on your pets.… MORE
Government aid approved for McLean County’s homeless
The McLean County Board on Thursday agreed to provide tens of thousands of dollars to aid the homeless, and also voted to raise the cost for people renting boats at the county-run Comlara Park, north of the Twin Cities.… MORE
Trying to polish the image of Illinois’ infamous invasive fish
It’s not that Kevin Irons is worried about the Asian carp’s self-esteem. He just wants to improve its image, all the way up to and including a new name.… MORE
McLean County roadway to be renamed in honor of late highway department worker
McLean County government is renaming a portion of a highly-traveled road in memory of a former highway department employee who died in a work-related accident almost two years ago.… MORE
21 new cases of coronavirus in McLean County; Rolling positivity rate 2.1%
McLean County’s rolling positivity rate inched down to 2.1% as local health officials Friday reported 21 new cases of coronavirus.… 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…