It’s time to put a button on the weekly USDA crop report.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
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
Rolling positivity rate dips below 8%; McLean County adds 77 new COVID cases
The rolling positivity rate in McLean County has dropped below 8% for the first time in over two weeks as local health officials Wednesday reported 77 new coronavirus cases.… MORE
IDPH offers holiday food safety tips
While it won’t be a typical Thanksgiving or holiday season for many due to COVID-19, health officials are still reminding home cooks about food safety.… MORE
Children’s Discovery Museum to replace and update climbing exhibit
The Children’s Discovery Museum will be replacing and updating its Luckey Climber exhibit after receiving a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.… MORE
Congressman LaHood: “Any type of fraud or improprieties have not been there”
As President Trump continues to claim voter fraud in the 2020 Presidential election, one Central Illinois Congressman says he believes there was no voter fraud in the election.… MORE
MCHD reports 50th COVID-related death; 23 residents currently hospitalized
A woman in her 30s with underlying health conditions had died from coronavirus complications, according to the McLean County Health Department.… 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…