By WMBD-TV NORMAL – There’s been another celebrity sighting in Central Illinois. Actor Henry Winkler was spotted in Uptown Normal on Monday. According to the Uptown Normal Facebook page, Winkler was in town for a speaking engagement, then he grabbed some refreshments at The Coffeehouse in Uptown after he shopped at the Children’s Discovery Museum’s store.…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Miller Park Zoo will begin to see major upgrades as construction got underway on Monday. According to Miller Park Zoo Facebook, the sidewalk outside the Wallaby Walkabout and Guanacos and River Otters will be replaced. While this construction will render half the park unavailable to the public, Miller Park Zoo is still…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Three years after the pandemic started, a University of Illinois researcher says anxiety and depression showed up more in Black and Latina women. These non-whites have many things going against them. “They were overrepresented, and continue to be overrepresented, in chronic health conditions, often due to high levels of stress…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – As those interested in the assault weapons ban await word from the Illinois Supreme Court on its constitutionality, State Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) says that bill was rushed through the General Assembly. “From the start of the first hearing on the bill until the governor’s signature was approximately 41 days,”…… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Two local teachers have been selected as finalists for the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) 2023 Teacher of the Year award. According to an ISBE press release, the two finalists are Ricardo King Jr. from Normal Community High School and Dr. Katherine Bruemmer from Heyworth Junior-Senior High School. King is…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A state residential facility in far southern Illinois – rocked by reports of nightmarish conditions for people who live there – now has the Pritzker administration’s full attention. Following up on the announcement that half of the Choate Mental Health Center’s population is being shipped out, Gov. JB Pritzker blamed…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The right to kick out problem guests – when they verbally abuse staff – is one Illinois hotels do not legally enjoy. Michael Jacobson, president and CEO of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, wants to change that. “These are the dedicated employees who make you feel at home when…… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Rivian is taking on more debt and selling $1.3 billion dollars in bonds. The electric automaker says this is a result of weakening demand and higher production costs. Currently, Rivian has $11.5 billion dollars cash on hand. That is lower than $13.2 billion from last quarter. The company has been losing…… MORE
By WMBD-TV The Normal Uptown Design Review Commission voted to move forward with reintroducing the Moratz Facade Grant on Monday. The grant will allow businesses and property owners to make exterior improvements to their buildings. Owners can receive $1,000 per linear foot for wall areas that are visible to the public. The grant will be…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Town of Normal leaders are being urged once more to ratify plans for a second recreational cannabis business on the town’s north side. The proposal was submitted by Illinois Health And Wellness LLC, who has applied for a special use permit to plant a new dispensary dubbed “Revolution” in a…… 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…