By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Whether you have been naughty or nice, Santa Claus is coming back to Bloomington this year. The iconic Livingston’s Santa statue, that is, will have its return celebrated by the McLean County Museum of History, said Micaela Harris, the museum’s Director of Communications. The museum will host a celebration at 11:30…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The Midwest Food Bank is helping farmers in North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. About a month ago, a local Illinois farmer stopped by the organization and donated over 600 large round alfalfa hay bales. Now, the Midwest Food Bank is in the process of getting it to those who need…… MORE
A legislative committee and the Illinois Department of Agriculture agreed recently to delay finalizing new regulations governing hemp production amid an outcry of protests from small, independent producers. … MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Five new electric buses are coming to Unit 5 School District. The district was awarded two grants over the last few years from the Illinois and federal EPA grant for electric buses. On Wednesday, the school board accepted a bid for 5 buses for more than $2 million. The district will…… MORE
By WMBD-TV CENTRAL ILLINOIS – Two local students are heading to New York City to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Eureka High School senior Ariana Arnold will be performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade as a member of the color guard. “Originally they said I was just an alternate. A couple of…… MORE
Mt. Zion advances to the Class 4A state title game next week at Hancock Stadium as they’ll face Chicago DePaul Prep.… MORE
It’s been a month since the jury in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s federal corruption trial last heard the name of star government witness Danny Solis during opening statements.… MORE
Developmentally disabled Illinoisans would get the minimum wage under a bill awaiting the governor’s action. … MORE
Those in Normal will soon be able to go the distance.… MORE
Criminal convictions of actor Jussie Smollett will be dismissed, and a defamation lawsuit against the Chicago Sun-Times will be allowed to continue, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in a slate of opinions Thursday.… 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…