It was a tale of two states Wednesday, when the four legislative leaders – one at a time – addressed members of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce at a conference in Springfield.… MORE
Category Archives: Top Stories
Illinois Wesleyan University names Dr. Sheahon Zenger 21st President
After a national search, Illinois Wesleyan University’s Board of Trustees named the university’s 21st President.… MORE
Central Illinois lawmaker will vote ‘no’ on a farm bill unless lawmakers include nutrition programs
The clock is ticking for lawmakers in the nation’s capitol to find common ground on a new farm bill before the November presidential election.… MORE
Woodford County animal control now under the county sheriff’s department
By WMBD-TV EUREKA – The Woodford County Sheriff’s Department will now handle animal control services. This comes after the Woodford County board approved the change last Thursday. They appointed Sheriff Matt Smith to be the Animal Control Warden starting April 4. Chief Deputy Dennis Tipsword said having the animal control services in-house will benefit the…… MORE
Tazewell County Coroner identifies motorcycle crash victim
By WMBD-TV MACKINAW – Tazewell County Coroner Charles Hanley has identified the man who died in a Monday car vs motorcycle crash near Townline and Boston School Roads in Mackinaw. According to the coroner’s Facebook, 73-year-old Eric Bates of McLean County died of multiple blunt force injuries due to the crash. Bates was the operator…… MORE
McLean County Coroner identifies victim of Monday night crash
A 48-year-old man from Normal died in a motorcycle crash Monday night in Normal.… MORE
Moratorium on building carbon sequestration pipelines passes Illinois House committee
There is no shortage of discussion at the Capitol about carbon. It’s the subject of a bill which has passed an Illinois House committee.… MORE
IDPH updates its list on where it’s safe to eat fish caught in state waters
By Jake Fogal and WMBD-TV MCLEAN COUNTY – The Illinois Department of Public Health updated its advisory on what fish caught in Illinois rivers should not be eaten on Tuesday. The advisories are based on routine testing by the Illinois Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program, which started testing for polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as forever chemicals, last fall. Nine…… MORE
One dead after Mackinaw motorcycle crash
By WMBD-TV A Monday evening crash involving a car and motorcycle left one dead. Tazewell County Coroner’s Office Facebook stated that the accident occurred near Greenwood Cemetery around 3:30 p.m. One was pronounced dead at the scene after Tazewell County Sheriff’s officers arrived. The victim was a 73-year-old McLean County man. His name is being withheld pending…… MORE
Normal Community students launch balloon to track eclipse
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL – On Monday, advanced placement students at Normal Community High School launched a balloon to track the movements of the solar eclipse. This is through the high altitude balloon program; just one of many offered through State Farm. Mentors from State Farm held seven sessions for students throughout the school year. Students…… 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…