District 87 provided an update Tuesday for students and families regarding the learning models in the weeks to come.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
State announces 12,542 new COVID cases, 125 additional deaths
The Illinois Department of Public Health Tuesday reported 12,542 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus and 125 additional deaths.… MORE
Midwest Ag Expo canceled due to ongoing pandemic
The Midwest Ag Expo trade show has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.… MORE
MCHD reports 6 additional COVID-related deaths; Positivity rate over 11%
McLean County health officials Tuesday reported six additional coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the number of lives lost to 56.… MORE
LaHood looking forward to working with Biden Administration
Putting political differences aside and finding common ground is one Central Illinois lawmaker’s goal once the Biden Administration is sworn in; however, that depends on what issues the new administration focuses on out of the gate.… MORE
Last weekly USDA crop report of 2020
It’s time to put a button on the weekly USDA crop report.… MORE
Rolling positivity rate above 10%; 467 new COVID cases in McLean County
McLean County health officials Monday reported 467 new cases of coronavirus from over the weekend.… MORE
Senator Durbin: “We’ve got to do something” to provide more COVID-19 relief
As bars and restaurants continue to suffer from the ramifications from the COVID-19 mitigations set forth by Gov. Pritzker, politicians need to put political differences aside and work on relief funds, according to Illinois’ senior U.S. Senator.… MORE
Nikita Richards steps down as leader of McLean County Democrats
The chair of the McLean County Democratic Party is stepping down after seven months in that position.… MORE
Holiday display coming to Uptown Normal
A holiday display will be showcased in Uptown Normal with images of past and present.… 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…