By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A former State Representative has decided not to seek elected office in 2024. Dan Brady previously considered seeking a spot in the 17th congressional district but has changed his mind. He confirmed he will not be putting in his bid for the 2024 election cycle. In 2022, he was the Republican…… MORE
Weekly crop report
There were 4.9 days suitable for field work during the week ending July 9… MORE
Bloomington mother arrested for alleged DUI after July 2 fatal crash that killed daughter
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A woman was arrested after her two-year-old daughter died in a July 2 single-vehicle crash at Hershey Road and Gloucester Circle. According to a Bloomington Police news release, officers were sent to the scene at 12:25 p.m. and located a vehicle that had struck a concrete bridge barrier railing. The driver of the…… MORE
Additional funding secured for O’Neil Park and Pool Project
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – On Monday, Bloomington City Council unanimously voted to allocate $200,000 received from the A Century of Good State Farm Grant to go towards the O’Neil Park and Pool Project. Out of the $200,000, $174,987.75 will be used to hire Prairie View Landscaping as the landscaping contractor. The park maintenance staff will…… MORE
More funding coming to Illinois for microbiology research
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – More funding is coming to Illinois to continue the fight against infections. According to a press release, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Moline), joined the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to announce on Monday that Illinois State University will receive $74,000 in funding for microbiology research. The goal of the…… MORE
Two dead after Woodford County crash Sunday
By WMBD-TV WOODFORD COUNTY – The Woodford County Coroner’s Office responded to a deadly two-vehicle crash at approximately 12:10 p.m. Sunday. According to a coroner’s office news release, the crash occurred at approximately 11:23 a.m. on U.S. Route 24 and County Road 1900E near rural Secor. A Jeep was headed westbound on U.S. Route 24 and a…… MORE
Voucher program helps farmers and their families access mental health care
An initiative through the University of Illinois can help farmers get the mental health care they need.… MORE
Illinois gas prices slightly down from last week
Gas prices in Illinois are down about five cents over the week, averaging $3.81 a gallon, according to GasBuddy.… MORE
Lexington Schools expanding campus
Lexington Schools are getting ready for two multi-million dollar expansions to their campus.… MORE
Gov. JB Pritzker announces a six-year, $41 billion transportation infrastructure plan
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Announcing the largest multi-year transportation plan in state history, Gov. JB Pritzker (at lectern) responded to a reporter’s question about the pace of construction in the state. “Early on in the pandemic, it made it easier for work to be done, because there were fewer cars on the highways,” said…… 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…