By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – Illinois overpaid unemployment benefits to the tune of $5.2 billion during the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, with much of it paid to fraudulent claimants, according to a comprehensive new audit. Included in that sum was $6 million paid to 481 dead people and $40.5 million in unemployment checks written…… MORE
The Illinois State University raised more than $34M dollars in private support in the past fiscal year.… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON — The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) sent out a press release notifying that they are asking parents with children from infant to five-years-old to participate in a survey in order to improve children’s health. The All Our Kids Early Childhood Networks (AOK) is currently looking into the needs of parents and…… MORE
After serving the Illinois state legislator for many years, Illinois State Senator Tom Bennett is retiring from the General Assembly.… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Mental health professionals will assist Illinois State University police officers with on-campus 911 calls. This comes after Campus Police Chief Aaron Woodruff said that his department has received more mental health-related calls in recent years. These mental health professionals will be contracted from the Center for Human Services, which runs the…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – In Monday night’s city council meeting, the proposed addition of around 800 residential units was approved. Bloomington City Council authorized the annexation and zoning of a 77-acre plot of land north of West Market Street near Rivian Motors. The housing units range from apartments to townhomes. The project, called Bloomington 77…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Heartland Community College is partnering with Mid Central Community Action to open a new facility that will hold classes. The new facility was renovated to hold classes in industrial maintenance, construction, and other work-ready programs. Representatives from the two organizations as well as Bloomington-Normal community members gathered at Mid…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 6.3 days suitable for field work during the week ending July 23, 2023. Statewide, the average temperature was 72.9 degrees, 3.7 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.71 inches, 0.27 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 14 percent very short, 35 percent short, 46 percent adequate, and 5…… MORE
By Blake Haas NORMAL – Authorities in Normal need the public’s help identifying a man they are dubbing the ‘Lego Bandit.’ In early July, authorities say the Lego Bandit allegedly stole over $700 worth of legos from Meijer. The man is described as a tall white male with glasses. He was last seen wearing a…… MORE
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – A home and vehicle in Bloomington sustained damage from gunfire, and police need help identifying a suspect. On Saturday around 12:45 p.m., Bloomington Police responded to the 7-hundred block of Fairmont Drive for a shooting. Authorities say there were no injuries from the shooting. The case remains under investigation. Anyone…… 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…