The McLean County Health Department Friday announced six more coronavirus-related deaths, brining the number of lives lost to 152.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Sydney Mays Trial: Witnesses struggle to remember during fourth day of testimony
On day four of a triple murder trial in McLean County, witnesses told prosecutors they could not remember specific details they told police nearly three years ago.… MORE
State’s top doctor asking for patience
A lot of people are anxious and tired due to the ongoing pandemic. That includes Dr. Ngozi Ezike.… MORE
Second annual Makers Madness competition
From Bunn coffeemakers to Beer Nuts to a 23-foot-tall Caterpillar mining truck, Illinois makes some pretty cool things.… MORE
District 87 sticking with hybrid format
As Unit 5 transitions hybrid students in PreK-5th grade to in-person learning five days a week, the superintendent of Bloomington’s school district says their plan isn’t changing.… MORE
U of I study looks at the pandemic and the economy
Unless you’re, say, in the restaurant business, things might be looking good for you financially in this stage of the pandemic.… MORE
Sen. Durbin supports impeaching former President Trump “to make a record” of the deadly capitol riots
Illinois’ Senior U.S. Senator Dick Durbin says he supports impeaching former President Donald Trump to “make a record” of the deadly riots at the Capitol on January 6.… MORE
Rolling positivity rate drops below 5%; McLean County adds 12 new coronavirus cases
McLean County’s rolling positivity rate fell to 4.7% on Thursday, the first time its been below 5% since the end of October.… MORE
Hearing officer recommends $1,750 fine for Twin-Cities restaurant defying state COVID-19 rules
A hearing officer is recommending a restaurant and bar in Normal pay $1,750 in fines for serving customers indoors late last year, defying Gov. JB Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions.… MORE
Normal council weighs in on police response to last spring’s looting
A Normal Town Council member said she takes offense to suggestions from another council member that police were not prepared to handle the unrest that followed the death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis Police custody last spring.… 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…