Unit 5 schools will receive $1 million towards on-site COVID-19 testing, through partners Rivian and Reditus Laboratories.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
ISU tabs Kyle Brennan as school’s next Athletics Director
Illinois State University will have a new athletic director next school year.… MORE
ICU beds nearing capacity as officials report 16 new cases of COVID-19
McLean County Intensive Care Units are close to capacity as county officials report 16 new cases of COVID-19, the lowest in nearly six weeks.… MORE
McLean County prosecutors charge woman accused of aiding Gridley man’s crime spree
Authorities believe a Gridley man who was a much sought-after fugitive until his capture in Woodford County over the weekend had some help committing various crimes.… MORE
City of Bloomington announces pandemic relief for small business
Help is on the way for small businesses in Bloomington affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
McLean County reports 75 new cases of COVID19; rolling positivity rate dips below 8%
McLean county’s rolling positivity rate is below 8% as health officials report 75 new cases of COVID-19 increasing the county confirmed cases to 10,851.… MORE
Former Central Illinois boat dealers charged in $2 million fraud scheme
A Central Illinois boat and watercraft dealership, with an East Peoria store, was among the victims of a $2 million fraud scheme involving two of its employees, according to a federal indictment made public on Monday.… MORE
New COVID-19 relief bill is a ‘lifeline’ for local music venues
Over the next few days, Congress is expected to pass another major COVID-19 relief bill. The aid package will include $15 billion for music venue.… MORE
Drive-up COVID-19 testing site moving to Central Illinois Regional Airport parking lot
The CampusTown Urgent Care COVID-19 testing site in Bloomington is moving to a new location.… MORE
Normal Town Council waives 2021 liquor license fees despite claims government is unethically playing politics
Normal’s city manager is defending the town council and hired staff from accusations that the government is bribing bars and restaurants to comply with Gov. JB Pritzker’s COVID-19 regulations.… 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…