By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The IHSA girls wrestling and boys dual team wrestling state finals will take place this weekend in the Twin-Cities. According to the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the two-day event is expected to draw about 4,000 people to the area, with an estimated direct economic impact of $308,000. This…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-Following an announcement that Illinois State men’s basketball head coach Dan Muller would not return for the 2023 season, Muller has decided to step down from his head coaching position immediately. “After an emotional day yesterday, and more time to talk to my players about this difficult situation, I have decided to…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-Following 10 seasons that saw highs and lows, Illinois State Athletic Director Kyle Brennan has notified Redbird men’s basketball head coach Dan Muller that he will not return for the 2023 season. “Announcing a head coaching change during a season is a difficult decision I don’t take lightly, especially with a coach…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-After 41 years in the broadcasting booth, Twin Cities resident Dick Luedke has called his final shot. Illinois State’s verbal documenter of men’s basketball and football joined the Scott Miller Show Friday morning to make his official announcement. “I am going to retire after a long time as the radio play-by-play broadcaster…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The Illinois State University men’s basketball team has had another game postponed as the team will not play this Sunday against Evansville most likely due to COVID-19. According to a news release, ISU determined the team is “unable to compete” and the game has been postponed. The conference will attempt…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The Missouri Valley Conference is rescheduling dates for six games and that includes the Illinois State men’s basketball game this weekend against Evansville. The Redbirds and Purple Aces will now play on Sunday, Jan. 9 at 1 p.m. at Redbird Arena. The game was originally scheduled Saturday in Evansville. Meanwhile,…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The Illinois State and Loyola men’s basketball game scheduled for Wednesday night at Redbird Arena has been postponed, according to a news release Monday. ISU determined the men’s team is “unable to compete” and the Missouri Valley Conference office will attempt to reschedule the game, if possible. The ISU men’s…… MORE
By Jake Fogal Illinois State’s governing board has planned a session for Saturday at 10:30 a.m. to discuss the athletic department’s $11.5 million concept for and indoor practice facility for ISU atheltics. A report to ISU’s board of trustees claims Redbird Athletics has raised almost $7 million for the project, $1 million short of the…… MORE
Long-time childhood dreams came true across the Heart of Illinois on Wednesday as area athletes signed their letters of intent to continue their careers at the collegiate level on National Signing Day.… MORE
By Neil Doyle ALGONQUIN – It was a low scoring game but Jacobs held on at home to beat Normal Community 17-7 in the second round of the IHSA football playoffs. The Golden Eagles (8-3) scored the first two touchdowns of the game, both from running back Nasir Canty. The Ironmen (10-1) answered back in…… 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…