Illinois State Senator Paul Schimpf praising Bruce Rauner after the Governor signs legislation to make it easier for Illinois high school seniors to go to college in-state.… MORE
State Fair Queen has rich agriculture experience
This year’s Illinois State Fair Queen has entered two pageants in her life and won them both.… MORE
2018 crop yield forecast provides positive outlook
2018’s first crop yield forecast is out, and it’s a positive one for Illinois.… MORE
Obituaries: Freed
Randall Gil Freed, 64, Fairbury, died at 11:01 pm Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.… MORE
Misuse of statewide database trickles down to Bloomington
Questions about a local chief’s use of a statewide police database to look up critics of the mayor once again raised questions about abuse of the Illinois State Police system.… MORE
Man rollerblading cross-country to raise money skates his way through Bloomington
When you think rollerblading, you probably picture doing it at a roller rink or maybe in the park. But for one man — it’s a way to travel across the country!… MORE
State Fair showcases Bicentennial Stamp
The U.S. Postal Service wants to claim its share of Illinois State Fair limelight, which is why it used the fair’s post office to unveil a stamp which has been in circulation for five months.… MORE
DeWitt County man sees proposed wind turbines turning backyard into industrial park
A DeWitt County resident is not a big fan of the proposed wind turbines that he said could turn his countryside near Wapella into an industrial park.… MORE
Bloomington council hopeful not worried whether incumbent Sage enters race
A Bloomington businesswoman is officially announcing her candidacy for alderman in the second ward, covering the city’s southwest side. However, the incumbent alderman in Ward 2 has yet to announce whether he’s running for reelection.… MORE
Bloomington police report catching man leaving home with stolen items
Bloomington police say they caught a man red-handed carrying stolen items out of a home.… MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
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.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
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…
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
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…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
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…