When the cost of doing business includes rising fees MasterCard and Visa collect, small businesses say that’s painful.… MORE
Category Archives: Top Stories
Eureka College announces head football coaching hire
By Jake Fogal EUREKA – Eureka College is bringing in a two time NFL Pro Bowler to take over as the head coach of the Red Devils football program. The college announced Monday, that Randy Starks will takeover as the 20th all-time coach of the program. “There are a lot of people that coach their…… MORE
Illinois State University introduces new soccer coach
Illinois State University introduced a new head soccer coach during a press conference Monday afternoon. … MORE
Two men face weapon charges after Saturday morning traffic stop
A traffic stop on a car in Normal early Saturday morning resulted in the arrest of two McLean County men… MORE
Appellate court orders new trial for woman accused of sexual abuse
A Bloomington woman’s sexual orientation was irrelevant to allegations she sexually abused teenager and thus, should not have been brought forth at her trial.… MORE
Illinois State University has narrowed presidential search to 11
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The Illinois State University Presidential Search Committee in Normal narrowed down the candidates for the next president. Thursday morning, the committee started with 41 prospective candidates to lead Illinois’ first public institution of higher learning. After spending more than 2 hours in executive session — the number is now down to…… MORE
Normal man dies from hypothermia after falling outside
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – A Normal man has died after falling outside and freezing from hypothermia. Responders were called to the 100 block of West Shelbourne Drive in Normal on Tuesday afternoon after a body was found by a tree at approximately 3:15 p.m. A heavy police presence gathered near the apartment building as police…… MORE
Anti-violence bill languishes
The shooting death of a mother and daughter in Chicago – allegedly by the husband / father – last summer inspired “Karina’s Bill,” which would make it easier to remove guns from the home of an alleged abuser. … MORE
More than $20 million coming to Central Illinois colleges in new grant
By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Board of Higher Education announced the recipients of $400 million in grants on Monday. An IBHE news release states the money comes through the Independent Colleges Capital Investment Grant and will be awarded to 45 higher-education institutions. The program’s stated goal is to provide financial assistance to “private, not-for-profit,…… MORE
Man arrested for August shooting in Normal
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – A man was arrested on Wednesday for his alleged connection with an Aug. 6, 2023 shooing in Normal. According to a Normal police news release, the U.S. Marshall’s Task Force arrested 35-year-old Lawrence D. Johnson on an active warrant. The warrant was related to the August shooting that left two injured…… 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…