A Republican party strategist said Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is just the first of probably several candidates who will drop out of the GOP race in the coming days.… MORE
Category Archives: Scott Laughlin
Evergreen Cemetery seeks to raise money for traveling Vietnam Wall
LeRoy hosted a traveling Vietnam Wall tribute last summer and Bloomington plans to have an even larger replica on display this summer.… MORE
Bloomington woman cheers Iowa win for childhood friend Clinton
A childhood friend of Hillary Clinton who is running as a Central Illinois delegate for the Democratic frontrunner said last night was a nailbiter.… MORE
Normal council approves Maxwell Park softball field lights purchase
The Normal Town Council has approved the purchase of new lights and poles for softball fields at Maxwell Park.… MORE
Sen. Brady: Obama was ‘dictator of sorts’ in Illinois legislature
State Sen. Bill Brady is extending the olive branch to an old political rival, President Barack Obama, who is expected to speak to the Illinois legislature next week.… MORE
Bloomington awaits financial study of revised downtown renovation
Bloomington mayor Tari Renner said the city is making sure it won’t face any financial risk before proceeding with a revamped downtown renovation proposal.… MORE
Rep. Brady unveils plan to fund higher education
College and universities that have been pinching their pennies while waiting for the state to pass a budget would finally see some funding from the state under a proposal that state Rep. Dan Brady is pushing, but it would still be a funding cut.… MORE
Hales: Those in older homes should study lead exposure risk
Reports of unsafe drinking water in Flint, Michigan and several communities in Ohio might have you wondering about water quality here.… MORE
LaHood agrees with Obama on trade deal, solitary confinement
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood doesn’t agree with President Barack Obama on much, but the Peoria Republican has found some common ground with the President on a few key issues heading into the new Congress.… MORE
Unit 5 seeks bonds for school repairs
Unit 5’s school repair bill is growing.… 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…