The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in actor Jussie Smollett’s appeal to overturn his conviction on disorderly conduct charges for falsifying a hate crime.… MORE
Category Archives: Top Stories
Testimony continues in 2nd Amendment challenge to Illinois’ assault weapons ban
An engineer who spent decades designing weapons for one of the world’s leading gun manufacturers testified Tuesday that the assault-style weapons now banned in Illinois are intended only for civilian use and cannot be easily converted into military-grade firearms.… MORE
Contractor’s unsecured databases exposed sensitive voter data in over a dozen Illinois counties
Around 4.6 million records associated with Illinoisans in over a dozen counties – including voting records, registrations and death certificates – were temporarily available on the open internet, according to a security researcher who identified the vulnerability in July. … MORE
Trial begins in challenge to assault weapons ban
The owner of a gun store testified Monday that Illinois’ ban on the sale of assault-style weapons and large capacity magazines has had a significant impact on his business and prevented his customers from buying items they would normally use for self-defense, hunting, target shooting or other legal activities.… MORE
City of Bloomington highlighting diversity and inclusion
By WMBD-TV The city of Bloomington teamed up with The Immigration Project and BN Welcoming to hold the “Divercity” event at Miller Park. From Asian to Indian to Mexican, the event celebrated diverse cultures and communities by showcasing different clothes, food and languages. Michael Hurt, the city’s diversity and inclusion officer, said Bloomington is a…… MORE
Flu season is in full swing for Central Illinois
By WMBD-TV TAZEWELL COUNTY – Flu symptoms are hitting the greater Peoria area sooner than usual. Doctors cite the main cause due to changes in seasons and exposure to new germs. Tazewell County Health Department’s Health Education Specialist said washing your hands and listening to your body are the key ways to stay ahead of…… MORE
Local health officials reminding the public on the risk of rabies
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Discovering a bat in your home can be distressing by itself, but it can also present another risk: rabies. The McLean County Health Department has already received nearly 200 calls this year on bats in homes, and Cory Dawson, a Disease Intervention Specialist with the health department, said bats are the…… MORE
Bloomington Bison release team jerseys
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – On Thursday night, with less than 40 days until the puck drops the Bloomington Bison revealed the team jerseys. “There’s still a little bit of apprehension in the community about hockey not being successful here in the past. And people not understanding this is a different level of hockey,” said Co-Owner Sean Hallett.…… MORE
Local organizations host blood drive for sickle cell awareness month
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – September is sickle cell awareness month. On Thursday, organizations came together to host the “United Against Sickle Cell” blood drive at Illinois State University. It was a partnership with the association of black employees at ISU, the Bloomington-Normal alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, incorporated, and the Chi Beta Beta…… MORE
U-High Pioneers explode for 48 points in rout over Decatur MacArthur
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – U-High unloaded for six touchdowns in Week 3 as the Pioneers opened conference play in the Central State Eight against Decatur MacArthur. University High kept the General’s sputtering on offense throughout the contest, and picked up the blowout win 48-7. U-High quarterback Alek Weiland shared the pigskin all night with…… 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…