Illinois public schools wishing to teach their students about the dangers of overdoses and substance use disorder now have a blueprint to do so from the state.… MORE
Category Archives: Top Stories
With new federal waiver, Illinois expanding Medicaid to nonmedical services
Many people enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program will soon be eligible to receive a host of nonmedical services that could improve their overall health, including housing and nutrition assistance, violence prevention services, and services to help them transition out of incarceration.… MORE
New policy in Gibson City school district bans cell phones in the middle school
Elementary students returning to the classroom in Gibson City in a couple of weeks will have to do so without a cell phone.… MORE
Caterpillar contractor from Michigan dies at Peoria Proving Ground facility
An investigation is underway after a contractor from Michigan died Wednesday night inside Caterpillar’s Peoria Proving Ground facility.… MORE
Leader of BN Area Convention and Visitors’ Bureau resigns
A 20-year leader of the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors’ Bureau Board of Directors has resigned.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker officially opens Illinois State Fair at ribbon cutting in Springfield
Gov. JB Pritzker led a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning to officially open the Illinois State Fair.… MORE
COVID-19 is experiencing an uptick in Central Illinois, but what does it mean?
By WMBD-TV CENTRAL ILLINOIS – Positive COVID-19 tests are going up once again in Central Illinois. Though we aren’t seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases, there is still an uptick in positive tests. Four weeks ago, the percentage of positive COVID-19 cases in Illinois was 11.1%. Last week they were 15.5% COVID-19 deaths were also…… MORE
USPS warning customers of tracking text scams
By WMBD-TV CENTRAL ILLINOIS – The United States Postal Service (USPS) is warning customers of a scam that can lead to personal or financial information being stolen. It’s called “smishing”, a form of phishing that involves a text message or a phone number. Victims usually receive a message asking them to click a link, luring…… MORE
McLean coroner identifies I-55 car crash victim
By WMBD TV BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Coroner Dr. Kathleen Yoder has released the name and cause of death of the man killed on I-55 on Tuesday. According to a McLean County Coroner news release, Jacob Shaw, 27, of Kenosha, Wisconsin likely died from multiple blunt injuries from his car striking a parked utility truck…… MORE
Bloomington Firefighters save a dog from a local apartment fire
Bloomington Fire Department saved a dog from a Wednesday morning apartment fire.… 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…