While McLean County only reported one new case of COVID-19 on Wednesday, local health officials are reminding the community to remain vigilant during the holiday weekend.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Bloomington teenager arrested for gun possession
A 16-year-old boy from Bloomington was arrested Tuesday night for having a gun in his waistband.… MORE
Casinos reopen across Illinois
Casinos in Illinois were forced to close in mid-March. Starting July 1, they will be back open with some pretty noticeable changes.… MORE
Firefighters extinguish air handler fire at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center
Firefighters from Normal had to put out a fire Tuesday afternoon at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center.… MORE
Local health officials report two new cases of COVID-19
Two more individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in McLean County, bringing the total number to 260.… MORE
Whalen back in McLean County Jail on new charges
Legal troubles continue to mount for convicted murder Donald Whalen who is back in the McLean County Jail facing new charges.… MORE
Twin-Cities man guilty of stabbing Peoria woman 105 times gets 60-year sentence
A Bloomington man is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison for killing a Peoria woman, who was stabbed 105 times in a Twin-Cities motel room three years ago.… MORE
Normal Theater still establishing safeguards to reopen
More places are reopening under Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, but the Normal Theater is still making sure safeguards are in place before they open the doors.… MORE
Local teacher announces run for Bloomington City Council
A local teacher will enter the race for Ward 5 on the Bloomington City Council.… MORE
Student-led crowd braves the heat to say they’ve had enough
The Unit Five Board released a statement saying they were proud of the Black Student Union for exercising their voices and actively working to improve their schools.… 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…