By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Rivian announced it’s on track to meet its 2024 production goals on Tuesday. According to Rivian, it produced 13,980 vehicles at its manufacturing facility in Normal in the first quarter. This is in line with Rivian’s goal to produce 57,000 vehicles annually. The Normal facility also delivered 13,588 during the first…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A local pizza maker raked high in the International Pizza Expo 2024 competition on March 20 in Las Vegas. According to a news release from Pizza Payaa, its owner, Adam Elpayaa, competed against 500 other pizza makers around the world and ranked 9th for Detroit-style pizza and 14th overall for pan pizza. The pizza he made was…… MORE
Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason has made it official and will be leaving his post to become the next city manger in Decatur.… MORE
Paramedic-level emergency medical care is now available from not just ambulances, but from all front-line fire engines in the Town of Normal. … MORE
Local police want to discover why a large fish kill stretched 20 miles in Livingston County.… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier will be featured at the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution convention in Bloomington later this month. Debra Coe, the state’s honorary DAR regent and the head of the Illinois State Office Club, said the public can come to view the…… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Alan Beaman was scheduled for a civil trial later this month against the town of Normal, but a $5.4 million settlement has ended the trial before it even started. On Monday, the town’s council unanimously voted to approve the multi-million settlement for Beaman. Beaman was convicted of murder in 1995, but…… MORE
The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office arrested an Ohio man after allegedly finding 100lbs of purported cannabis in his vehicle.… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Following a groundbreaking ceremony last week, Project Oz has started construction for its expansion. The youth and family agency is adding 2,500 square feet of flexible space to its current West Bloomington location. The expansion allows for a nutrition nook, laundry facilities, counseling, training, and technology services. Cheris Larson, Director of…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The rating agency AM Best has downgraded the credit rating of State Farm General Insurance Company on Thursday. According to AM Best, State Farm General Insurance Financial Strength Rating has been downgraded from A (Excellent) to B (Fair). State Farm General Insurance Company is a subsidiary of the larger company which is known…… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…