The Ironmen of Normal Community lost 42-0 Saturday afternoon to Downers Grove North in the semifinals of the Class 7A IHSA football playoffs.… MORE
City leaders reflect 10 years after tornado in Washington
Ten years after a deadly EF-4 tornado with maximum wind speeds of 190 miles per hour tore through the city of Washington, current and past city leaders are reflecting on how they went from ‘search and rescue’ to ‘rebuild and recover.’… MORE
Scott vs Scott Challenge going five years strong for Salvation Army
It’s that time of the year when you’ll begin to see people with red kettles ringing bells to raise money for The Salvation Army.… MORE
Bloomington Firefighters Union continues Thanksgiving Basket tradition
Bloomington Firefighters Local 49 is continuing a 36-year tradition by passing out Thanksgiving baskets to low-income seniors in the community.… MORE
State insect displayed on newest Illinois specialty license plate
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – You can show your support for the official Illinois state insect on the front and back of your car. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has unveiled the Monarch butterfly specialty license plate and said part of the $54 fee for the specialty plate will go to a Monarch habitat…… MORE
Congress averts government shutdown
Once again, the nation averts a government shutdown.… MORE
Bloomington Salvation Army transitions emergency warming center to “Midnight Café”
The Salvation Army of Bloomington is changing some of the rules for its emergency warming center due to building codes and regulations from the City of Bloomington.… MORE
I-74 fatal crash victim near Bloomington identified
McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder has identified the victim of a fatal crash that happened Monday morning on Interstate 74 near Bloomington.… MORE
MCHD hosting walk-in vaccine clinic for flu and COVID
The McLean County Health department is holding a vaccine clinic for those who still need an updated flu shot and the newest COVID vaccine.… MORE
Students walk out on Bradley’s campus protesting proposed cuts
Students and teachers took part in a walk out on Tuesday, following the proposed cuts to degree programs and faculty reductions at Bradley university.… 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…