Normal town staffers want to know if elected officials are open to the idea of raising the local gasoline tax to the same level charged in neighboring Bloomington.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Apartment building, vehicle hit by gunfire in Bloomington
Gunfire erupted in at least two Bloomington locations this Labor Day weekend that caused property damage, but police said there were no injuries.… MORE
ISU athletes lead Black Lives Matter march
A summer filled with protests nation-wide, now Illinois State University athletes bring the Black Lives Matter movement back to campus with them.… MORE
ISP, local law enforcement will increase patrols for holiday weekend
Illinois State Police and more than 200 local law enforcement agencies are stepping up efforts to arrest impaired drivers during the Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.… MORE
ISU freshman enrollment down slightly from last year
Illinois State University’s fall enrollment declined slightly from the last academic year, while graduate student enrollment is up over the past year.… MORE
COVID-19 hurting restaurants in a variety of ways
The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic continues to hurt various businesses, including the restaurant industry. However, one local restaurant owner says the coronavirus pandemic is hurting more than business.… MORE
105 new COVID cases at ISU; IWU surveillance testing will begin next week
The positivity rate at Illinois State University went down Friday as 105 additional students tested positive for coronavirus.… MORE
MCHD announces 17th COVID-related death; 217 new cases
A 17th McLean County resident has died from COVID-19 complications as local health officials Friday announced over 200 new cases.… MORE
Proposed rules tabled for public gatherings on McLean County government-run property
A proposal regulating public gatherings like the massive protest last spring against police brutality outside the McLean County Law and Justice Center failed to win support Thursday among elected officials.… MORE
Normal seeks public feedback on updated bike, pedestrian master plan
The Town of Normal is seeking public input before elected leaders vote next month on a proposed update to the community’s bicycle and pedestrian master plan.… 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…