There were 6.5 days suitable for field work during the week ending August 27, 2023. … MORE
17-year-old arrested in Normal for fatal shooting of Havana man over the weekend
A 17-year-old boy was arrested Monday night in connection with a fatal shooting at a Peoria County liquor store.… MORE
Former Bloomington Mayor Jesse Smart dies
The former three-term mayor of Bloomington Jesse Smart has died at 84 as confirmed by a Calvert and Metzler Memorial Home notice.… MORE
1940’s Black author has been named Illinois’ favorite novelist
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A Black man whose most famous books were published in the 1940’s has been named Illinois’ favorite author. A survey for stoicquotes.com names the favorite authors of each state. Richard Wright wrote Native Son and Black Boy, and Springfield librarian Kathryn Harris can’t argue. “The time and the stories he wrote about kind…… MORE
Normal Fire Department urges people to check for recalled dehumidifiers
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – Normal Fire Department is warning people about a recent recall on dehumidifiers. Last week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall that affects 1.56 million dehumidifiers by the manufacturer Gree. The recall includes 42 models with several brand names such as GE, Kenmore and Norpole. The recall came just ahead of the recent heat wave, which…… MORE
Jelani Day’s mother shares new developments two years later
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL – It’s been two years since Carmen Bolden Day last spoke with her son Jelani Day. She now believes she has proof that someone else was involved in his disappearance and ultimately his death. “It’s a void cause he’s absent. I don’t have him anymore. He went from missing, to them finding…… MORE
Normal Community steamrolls Sacred Heart-Griffin in opening week of regular season
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Expectations were lofty heading into the 2023 season for the Normal Community Ironmen football team, and a week one matchup challenging one of the best programs in Illinois would be the first test. The Ironmen jumped on the back of their skill position players, as running backs Tommy Davis and…… MORE
Connect Transit offering free bus rides to Bloomington-Normal library cardholders
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL – Connect Transit is teaming up with local libraries to celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month. According to a Connect Transit news release, anyone with a Bloomington Public Library and Normal Public Library card can get free bus rides through the month of September. Last year, Connect Transit provided 19,970 free rides to library cardholders, and the local…… MORE
Illinois Republican react to conviction of Tim Mapes
Republicans were swift to react to the conviction Thursday of Tim Mapes, longtime chief of staff to then-Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.… MORE
ISU Professor facing four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault
A long investigation by the Bloomington Police Department Criminal Investigation Division led to the arrest of an Illinois State University Professor on Wednesday.… 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…