By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – Current and prospective students at Illinois Wesleyan University will soon see a change in the classroom thanks to a $150,000 grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. IWU School of Nursing and the Department of Biology won a $150,000 grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations to help develop courses…… MORE
Emerson Street between Linden and Clinton closed beginning on Tuesday
Beginning on Tuesday morning at 6 a.m., Emerson Street between Linden and Clinton, will be closed to all traffic due to street repair work. … MORE
Obituaries: Saruwatari, Merideth
adashige Saruwatari, long time resident of Bloomington, IL, died of cancer related causes on June 30, 2018 at age 70. He was born in Japan and worked for Mitsubishi both in Japan and the USA.… MORE
Report highlights “wasteful” federal grant spending
A financial watchdog says there is too much wasteful spending going on across the nation when it comes to federal grants.… MORE
East Road in Hudson to close for water main replacement
A contractor installing a new water main at Lake Bloomington will be making a connection along 1750 East Road Monday.… MORE
Willow Street in Normal to close for pavement work
Beginning Monday there will be a lane reduction on Willow Street at Normal Avenue.… MORE
Madigan asks court to declare ‘sanctuary state’ law in compliance with feds
Illinois’ attorney general is asking the courts to rule that a controversial Illinois law about immigration policies complies with federal law.… MORE
Uptown developer getting tax breaks finds luring upscale eatery an elusive goal
An Uptown Normal developer receiving tax breaks and other financial aid from the town government is having a difficult time attracting a fine dining restaurant to the area, so it’s asking the town council Monday night for permission to market a smaller space to lure an upscale eatery.… MORE
New program makes soaking up the sun easy
As the summer heats up, residents in Bloomington-Normal can catch some rays at a discounted price.… MORE
Recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling could hurt Democratic candidates
The recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling ending forced union fees from government employees could hurt the pocket books of Democratic candidates.… 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…