The 25th annual Saint Patrick’s Day 5K run will be dedicated to a local fallen hero.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
District 87, Unit 5 partner with local libraries to expand reading
Bloomington and Normal libraries are looking to get local children more excited about reading.… MORE
ISU student attends third alternative spring break
Spring break is in full swing for Illinois State University students and while some will be spending their time catching up on sleep, others are traveling to make a change.… MORE
Private sector job viewed as attractive option compared to rigorous economic development work
A Normal Town Council member, who serves on the board of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, doubts recent criticism of the council had much to do with EDC head Kyle Ham’s departure.
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Bill to curb opioid ‘pharmacy shopping’ has its roots in Bloomington-Normal
A case of what authorities said was illegal pharmacy shopping for opioids in Bloomington-Normal has led to federal legislation aimed at curbing the spread of the highly-addictive painkiller.… MORE
Kyle Ham resigns as CEO of Economic Development Council
One day after a local delegation returned from Washington D.C. where the group lobbied for federal dollars, one of that group’s leaders is leaving the group.… MORE
Emerson Street in Bloomington to close
Effective 7 a.m. Friday, Emerson Street between Lee and Center streets will be closed to all traffic due to sewer repair work. … MORE
Normal West and its softball team seek normalcy as they grieve for Livi Sonetz
Students and staff at Normal West High School wore blue on Thursday to honor Olivia Sonetz, who died from injuries she suffered in a Tuesday evening car crash near Normal.… MORE
Animals sheltered at CISAR in need of new homes
The owners of Central Illinois Small Animal Rescue, or CISAR in rural Colfax, say the dogs and cats they’re sheltering there need homes.… MORE
One Voice Task Force seeks funding for local projects
Bloomington-Normal’s One Voice Task Force has been in the Washington, DC this week to meet with legislators and discuss funding for major projects in the Twin Cities.… 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…