By WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – Ameren has announced it is upgrading more than 60,000 electric and natural gas meters for residential customers in and around Bloomington-Normal as well as Livingston, McLean Tazewell and Woodford counties. The uility has the so-called smart technology will help customers manage energy usage and save. “This advanced technology will provide our…… MORE
Illinois State Fair names hog, husband calling winners
It was a hoot of an afternoon Sunday at the Illinois State Fair, as fairgoers gathered to watch the annual Husband and Hog Calling contests at the Lincoln Stage.… MORE
Override of school funding reform changes now in House after Senate’s Sunday session
The Illinois Senate overrode the Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto to a school funding reform bill Sunday. The bill’s sponsor said he didn’t even fully review the numbers before calling for the vote.… MORE
Illinois high schools sports somewhat prepared for funding uncertainty
Illinois schools, and Illinois high school sports, will start on time this month. How long both keep going is an open question.… MORE
Pontiac Santa House needs renovation help
A downtown Pontiac group wants to renovate a Christmastime staple.… MORE
Peterson recalls Uptown renewal as biggest struggle in tenure as city manager
The town of Normal looks much different now than it did when Mark Peterson started as city manager in 1998.… MORE
Sports On Air
Sports On Air… MORE
Obituaries: Krieg
Obituary for Betty Ilena Krieg.… MORE
State’s attorney wants to clean up Pontiac parks
The Livingston County State’s Attorney has partnered with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Police and Pontiac Police to clean up Pontiac’s parks and public areas.… MORE
Specific disability applications now fast tracked
The Social Security Administration is now able to fast track disability applications for those with specific conditions.… 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…