Category Archives: Top Stories

One injured after shooting in Normal

One injured after shooting in Normal

By WMBD-TV NORMAL – One person was injured after a shooting incident near Sandra Lane and Bryan Street on Tuesday. Officers responded to the scene at 2:01 p.m. and located a victim who was struck by gunfire, Normal Police Chief Steve Petrilli stated. The victim was treated by officers until the fire department personnel arrived…MORE

Popular Santa statue to return to Downtown Bloomington

Popular Santa statue to return to Downtown Bloomington

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Whether you have been naughty or nice, Santa Claus is coming back to Bloomington this year. The iconic Livingston’s Santa statue, that is, will have its return celebrated by the McLean County Museum of History, said Micaela Harris, the museum’s Director of Communications. The museum will host a celebration at 11:30…MORE

Midwest Food Bank sending hay bales to North Carolina

Midwest Food Bank sending hay bales to North Carolina

By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The Midwest Food Bank is helping farmers in North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. About a month ago, a local Illinois farmer stopped by the organization and donated over 600 large round alfalfa hay bales. Now, the Midwest Food Bank is in the process of getting it to those who need…MORE

Unit 5 to get five new electric school buses

Unit 5 to get five new electric school buses

By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Five new electric buses are coming to Unit 5 School District. The district was awarded two grants over the last few years from the Illinois and federal EPA grant for electric buses. On Wednesday, the school board accepted a bid for 5 buses for more than $2 million. The district will…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…