According to Normal Police Public Information Officer, scammers are out in full force during the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
43rd COVID-related death reported in McLean County; 120 new cases
The McLean County Health Department Friday reported another coronavirus-related death and 120 new cases.… MORE
There’s trouble in toyland
Holiday gifts should not hurt a child, but unsafe toys remain on the market. That is where “Trouble in Toyland” and the attorney general’s “Safe Shopping Guide” come in.… MORE
Governor warns elected leaders who don’t take COVID seriously
While Illinois recorded 12,702 new coronavirus cases and 43 more deaths, that’s not all from Gov. JB Pritzker’s coronavirus briefing Thursday.… MORE
Craig: Pfizer announcement led to sell-off of ‘stay-at-home’ stocks
COVID-19 rates are rising across the country, but there was some good news earlier this week regarding a vaccine, and a local financial advisor tells us how that affected the stock market.… MORE
Rep. Davis remains “cautiously optimistic” about a second COVID relief bill
Amid election uncertainty, one local congressman says he’s “cautiously optimistic” that Americans would receive a second COVID-19 stimulus check.… MORE
New leadership in the White House could help commodity prices
New leadership in the White House could lead to favorable commodity prices in the future amid economic uncertainty, according to one Central Illinois commodity broker.… MORE
District 87 school board eases graduation requirements for BHS seniors hampered by e-learning
The District 87 School board is lightening the load on Bloomington High School seniors facing the prospect of finishing their studies remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
Property tax hike seen for Unit 5 schools as district plugs budget holes
Property owners in McLean County’s largest school district are likely to see a significant increase on their tax bills next year to cover a structural budget deficit.… MORE
MCHD reports 42nd COVID-related death; 421 new cases
A McLean County man in his 70s has died from COVID-19 complications.… 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…