By 25 News MCLEAN COUNTY – Three candidates have submitted applications to take over the role of State’s Attorney in McLean County. It comes as incumbent Don Knapp is set to take over as judge following the last election. Ericka Reynolds from Heyworth, currently serves as the Assistant State’s Attorney in the county already. She…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – A Normal Juvenile has been arrested for two armed robbery incidents. A 15-year old juvenile, formerly from Normal, first robbed Indy Smoke Shop at 112 North St. in March according to Normal police. In this incident the suspect entered the business, displayed a bb gun that looked like a firearm,…… MORE
By 25 News PEORIA – A McLean County man has been sentenced to 6 1/2-years in federal prison for using social media to send obscene material to a minor. U.S. District Judge James Shadid handed down the sentence against Alexander B. Smith, 23, of Danvers. Shadid could have given Smith a maximum 10 years in…… MORE
Even though President Biden announced student loan debt relief for millions of Americans, a local financial advisor reports the move could not come to fruition.… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Illinois State University welcomed its largest freshman class in 35 years for the 2022 fall semester. 3,983 freshman students moved to campus this fall, bringing the total enrollment to 20,683, according to a news release. This represents an 18 percent increase in freshman enrollment from last year and a 2…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Labor union membership in Illinois grew by about 16,000 last year, compared to the year before. Frank Manzo IV, executive director of the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, says his report could support an argument for a constitutional amendment on the Illinois ballot this fall. “The Workers’ Rights Amendment would guarantee…… MORE
By 25 News NORMAL – The long-time mayor of Normal was on Capitol Hill Wednesday to speak in front of a Senate transportation committee. Mayor Chris Koos was nominated to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors and spoke about his experience with Uptown Station in Normal. “The key to its success is partnership and…… MORE
By 25 News NORMAL – A Bloomington woman, who worked at Rivian Automotive in Normal, has filed a federal lawsuit against the company claiming the sexual harassment she suffered was so intolerable that she had to leave her job in April of this year. She claimed in her lawsuit Rivian failed to deal with “unlawful…… MORE
According to the Regional Education Office’s top brass, a national teacher shortage is beginning to impact central Illinois schools.… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices continue their tumble across Illinois but the average price fell only 4.2 cents in the last week, sitting at $4.10 a gallon. According to GasBuddy, prices in Illinois are 32 cents lower than a month ago and 82 cents higher than a year ago. GasBuddy price reports show…… 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…