U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., backs President Donald Trump’s military action in Syria but he worries about the risk of another protected military involvement overseas.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Farmer City teen faces weapons charges after shooting
DeWitt County prosecutors plan to try a Farmer City teen as an adult for shooting another teen last week.… MORE
Jefferson Street downtown won’t be closed to become permanent walkway
The portion of Jefferson Street in the heart of downtown Bloomington won’t permanently be shut down to become a pedestrian walkway after the city council Monday night decided to pave the street with asphalt instead of a more expensive surface.… MORE
Normal Council transfers redevelopment pact to new Marriott owner
One of the signature developments in Uptown Normal is about to change ownership, and the town council Monday night transferred the redevelopment agreement to the firm that is supposed to take over the property.… MORE
Heartland Veterans Center to march with food donations
Student veterans are preparing to march to help replenish a local food pantry, and are enlisting civilian help.… MORE
Local travel agent backs Allegiant Airlines
A local travel agent is disputing a report from 60 Minutes that claimed Allegiant Airlines has placed passengers on planes with safety or maintenance issues.… MORE
Gregory Street in Normal to close
Gregory Street between Cottage Avenue and Parkside Road, will remain closed to through traffic through Tuesday.… MORE
Secretary White pushes new drunk driving bill
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is pushing a bill that strengthens the state’s drunk driving laws.… MORE
Advocacy group objects to El Paso-Gridley promoting prayer rally
A group that advocates for separation of church and state has objected to a local school administrator promoting a prayer rally in a school district email to parents.… MORE
Durbin, Duckworth: Syrian strike carried out ‘without congressional approval’
US Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois is suggesting President Trump ordered an air strike against Syria preemptively.… 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…