Unit 5 preschool, kindergarten through second graders and sixth through ninth graders returned to in person learning October 19th.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Red Flag Warning across Central Illinois
The National Weather Service is again warning that there is a high fire danger Saturday across central Illinois.… MORE
Meet the acting director of IDES
What was she thinking?… MORE
ISU trustees approve contract for U of I COVID-19 saliva tests
Illinois State University’s governing board Friday approved a $5.5 million contract to establish a lab to process COVID-19 saliva-based tests and to conduct saliva-based testing of students, faculty, and staff.… MORE
35 new COVID cases in McLean County; Positivity rate inches up
The McLean County Health Department Friday reported 35 new cases of coronavirus, brining the total to 3,782.… MORE
NWS: Elevated fire danger for Central Illinois
The National Weather Service says there is an elevated fire danger for most of central Illinois until 7 p.m. Friday. … MORE
MCHD reports 3 new COVID cases
The McLean County Health Department Thursday reported three new cases of coronavirus.… MORE
COVID-19 measures highlight ISU Trustees’ agenda
Illinois State University’s governing board is being asked to approve a multi-million dollar contract for a campus lab to process COVID-19 saliva tests, while administrators are also seeking the board’s approval to use local hotel space to quarantine students in case of a coronavirus surge.… MORE
Unit 5 School Board ratifies teachers’ contract that includes pay raises
McLean County’s largest school district has finalized a contract agreement with its teachers’ union.… MORE
State officials with an update on COVID
The state announced its daily coronavirus numbers Wednesday, though many on the social media jury believe the government is puffing up the numbers.… 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…