By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Board of Higher Education announced the recipients of $400 million in grants on Monday. An IBHE news release states the money comes through the Independent Colleges Capital Investment Grant and will be awarded to 45 higher-education institutions. The program’s stated goal is to provide financial assistance to “private, not-for-profit,…… MORE
Man arrested for August shooting in Normal
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – A man was arrested on Wednesday for his alleged connection with an Aug. 6, 2023 shooing in Normal. According to a Normal police news release, the U.S. Marshall’s Task Force arrested 35-year-old Lawrence D. Johnson on an active warrant. The warrant was related to the August shooting that left two injured…… MORE
Normal Mayor Chris Koos confirmed to Amtrak Board of Directors
By Jake Fogal WASHINGTON – The Town of Normal’s top official is adding his name to the Amtrak Board of Directors. Normal Mayor Chris Koos was confirmed to the Board of Directors Tuesday following the recommendations of Majority Whip Dick Durbin and U.S Senator Tammy Duckworth. “Mayor Koos has a long history as a powerful,…… MORE
Bloomington Bison: Hockey back in Bloomington
Hockey is officially back in Bloomington thanks to a $4 million investment from Hallet Sports and Entertainment.… MORE
WJBC’s Ultimate Winter Warm Up with Popejoy Plumbing, Heating, & Electric
Are you warm enough this winter? How about were you cool enough last summer? Starting Jan. 25, be listening to AM 1230, FM 102.1 and WJBC.com for your chance to qualify and you could win a brand new $13,000 heating and air-conditioning system from Popejoy Plumbing, Heating, & Electric in the WJBC Ultimate Winter Warmup contest!…… MORE
Proposed state law would outlaw five chemical food additives
Opponents say a proposed ban on five chemical food additives would create an unwieldy “patchwork” of varying laws.… MORE
Heartland awarded $525K grant for electric vehicle programs
Heartland Community College has been awarded $525,000 to help the development of Electric Vehicle-related programs.… MORE
City of Bloomington exploring new naming rights for downtown arena
A leader in Bloomington’s city government reports that the name of Grossinger Motors Arena will change.… MORE
Governor commemorates 51st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision
Legal abortion is no longer the law of the land, but Monday’s 51st anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision is still – to Gov. JB Pritzker and other advocates – worth commemorating.… MORE
ISU opening at noon Tuesday, crews working to safely clear campus grounds
By WMBD-TV and WJBC NORMAL – Illinois State University will have a late start on Tuesday due to forecasted weather conditions. The campus will open at noon instead of 7 a.m., as previously indicated. The university said the continued closure will give more time for crews to safely clear roads and campus grounds. All classes…… 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…