By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – On Saturday, join the Miller Park Zoo for its 133rd birthday celebration. The birthday party also lands on World Oceans Day. In conjunction with the ocean’s theme, the Illinois MerPod will be present to talk about ocean conservation. Silvia Schuh, the zoo’s events and volunteer coordinator, said it’s an honor for the zoo…… MORE
More than one hundred libraries in Illinois are in for a total of $2 million in grants to enhance and expand their technology.… MORE
A Bloomington man stands accused of multiple Class X felonies for allegedly having a large amount of cocaine.… MORE
By WMBD-TV and Jake Fogal NORMAL – Rivian Automotive introduced the second generation of its R1S SUV and R1T pickup truck on Thursday. According to Rivian, the vehicles have been completely reengineered through hardware improvements and performance upgrades. The vehicles maintain their iconic design but will have new motor configurations, design elements, and trim and…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police received several calls Wednesday night for shots fired west of the downtown area. BPD officers responded to the 1000 block of West Front Street, and confirmed that gunshots had occurred in the area. There were no injuries or property damage reported as a result of this incident. The…… MORE
The state’s $53.1 billion dollar budget is now law. Gov. JB Pritzker signed it in Chicago Wednesday morning.… MORE
A lucky Illinois lottery player won big Tuesday night.… MORE
With an attorney finally on board his defense team, a 20-year-old Georgia man will appear back in court in late August for a review hearing.… MORE
The Bloomington Bison announced its full 72-game schedule for the 2024-2025 season on Tuesday.… MORE
Heartland Community College recently recognized seven individuals for their role in expanding the college and serving the student body.… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…