Two area charitable organizations are receiving what their leaders describe as “transformational” gifts from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
8 more COVID-related deaths reported in McLean County
McLean County health officials Thursday reported eight additional coronavirus-related deaths, a new single-day high since the start of the pandemic.… MORE
Break-in targets popular Bloomington sporting goods store
Like so many other small businesses, 2020 can’t end fast enough for owners of Read’s Sporting Goods in Bloomington.… MORE
Pritzker: State to receive less vaccinations next few weeks
Gov. JB Pritzker announced that Illinois, as well as the rest of the nation, will receive approximately half of the doses of COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer next week.… MORE
IDPH reports 7,123 new cases of coronavirus
The Illinois Department of Public Health Wednesday reported 7,123 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus and 146 additional deaths.… MORE
Hyvee begins rapid Covid testing in Illinois
Hyvee is now offering Covid-19 rapid testing, but it’s not free and it’s not for everyone.… MORE
Employee sues Unit 5 for workplace harassment and retaliation
A former Unit 5 employee is suing the school system in federal court accusing the district’s head of human resources of repeatedly sexually harassing her while other school leaders failed to stop the hostile work environment.… MORE
MCHD reports two more coronavirus-related deaths; 101 new cases
Two additional McLean County residents have died from COVID-19 complications, bringing the number of lives lost to 75.… MORE
Financial Advisor: Economy could see boom thanks to COVID-19 vaccine
With the first COVID-19 vaccine administered in Illinois on Tuesday, and talks of a second COVID-relief stimulus underway, the economy could see a large increase due to “pent up demand.”… MORE
Salvation Army of Bloomington makes final push for Christmas campaign
The Salvation Army’s annual Make A Difference campaign is coming to an end and the organization is making a final push to reach its $500,000 goal.… 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…