In the first court hearing since an appellate court ruled former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson should get an opportunity for freedom, a judge set Friday as the hearing date for the least restrictive conditions of release.… MORE
Category Archives: Top Stories
State watchdog uncovers at least $7.2M in PPP fraud by state employees
A state watchdog has identified at least $7.2 million in fraudulent claims and more than 275 instances of misconduct by state employees accused of bilking a federal program designed to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
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
Some Illinois Republican senators say Gov. Pritzker is doing far too little to stop fentanyl coming into state prisons
Prisons are dangerous places, and a group of senators says it doesn’t help that staff and inmates are exposed to deadly drugs.… MORE
‘You shouldn’t be talking like that’: Madigan scolded alderman-turned-FBI mole for bringing up ‘quid pro quo’
Then-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis had already been cooperating with the FBI for a little more than a year in June 2017 when he received an unexpected voicemail from powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.… MORE
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
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
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
Two Central Illinois high school students set to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
By WMBD-TV CENTRAL ILLINOIS – Two local students are heading to New York City to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Eureka High School senior Ariana Arnold will be performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade as a member of the color guard. “Originally they said I was just an alternate. A couple of…… MORE
Ex-Chicago Ald. Danny Solis, who secretly recorded Madigan for FBI, takes witness stand
It’s been a month since the jury in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s federal corruption trial last heard the name of star government witness Danny Solis during opening statements.… 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…