By Dave Dahl FREEPORT – Gov. JB Pritzker insists he tries to be bipartisan – even though the votes for the budget were strictly from his party. Responding to a reporter’s question in Freeport Tuesday, the governor said he worked with Republicans to put together the state budget for the fiscal year which begins July…… MORE
Creve Coeur man in custody after four hour long pursuit Monday morning in Livingston County
By Jake Fogal PONTIAC – A Creve Coeur man was arrested in Pontiac early Monday morning after allegedly evading police in Livingston County. Fairbury Police Officers initiated a pursuit after Cameron Acosta sped through the town going over 80 miles per hour around 3:00 a.m., according to a news release. The pursuit by FPD was…… MORE
State Farm and local kids launch high-altitude weather balloons
State Farm Enterprise Technology STEM mentors launched a high-altitude weather balloon as part of a STEM project with kids from Western Avenue Community Center and the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal.… MORE
Hot, dry weather is impacting Illinois crops
There were 6.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending June 4, 2023. … MORE
Illinois working to get additional homeless people into services
By Dave Dahl PEORIA – The new state budget’s social service initiatives – to take on homelessness and food deserts – were the subject of the Pritzker administration’s visit to Peoria Monday. In discussing the new “Home Illinois” program, Illinois’ new “homelessness czar,” Christine Haley, said, “Homelessness is a crisis of the collective will to…… MORE
Bloomington police investigating weekend shooting incidents
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Police Department announced Monday that they are investigating two shooting incidents. According to a Bloomington police news release, a 38-year-old woman was injured during a shooting incident near Mulberry and Oak Streets at approximately 2:11 a.m. Saturday. Officers found evidence of a shooting on the scene. The victim was…… MORE
Wear Orange Event honors victims of gun violence
A sea of orange was present at the Western Avenue Community Center for the Wear Orange Event on Saturday.… MORE
Prairie Pride Coalition in Bloomington-Normal celebrates LGBTQ+ month
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – June is Pride Month, highlighting and celebrating individuals involved within the LGBTQ+ community. In Bloomington-Normal, The Prairie Pride Coalition serves the community as well as McLean County. President of the organization, Dave Bentlin, says backing the LGBTQ+ community is one of the best ways to show support during pride month.…… MORE
IDPH reports first signs of West Nile virus
So far, three batches of mosquitos have tested positive for the virus, all in Cook County.… MORE
Man arrested for 2021 Bloomington homicide
A man was arrested again in Jacksonville, Il. Thursday for his part in relation to the death of Geoffrey Rowry in Bloomington in 2021.… 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…