By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – On Monday night, the City of Bloomington and Town of Normal swore in new members for their councils. Andy Byars was sworn into the Normal Town Council. Karyn Smith and Kathleen Lorenz are the incumbents from April’s consolidated election. In Bloomington, Jenna Kearns and John Wyatt Danenberger were sworn in to…… MORE
ISP provides update after Monday’s pileup on I-55 south of Springfield
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A day after the chain reaction collision that killed six people along Interstate 55, State Police director Brendan Kelly told reporters in Divernon two of the victims cannot be identified, and he wants the public’s help. One person, he said, was in a blue Chrysler 300, and the other person…… MORE
Lambert to become next principal of Bloomington Junior High School
By WJBC News BLOOMINGTON – Messina Lambert will be named the next principal of Bloomington Junior High School, pending District 87 School Board approval this month. Lambert currently serves as the principal of Irving School. “It was not a desire to leave the Irving principalship that is leading to my transition to BJHS, rather, I…… MORE
Illinois corn and soybeans are emerging
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.1 days suitable for field work during the week ending April 30, 2023. Statewide, the average temperature was 50.4 degrees, 6.1 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.26 inches, 0.61 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 2 percent very short, 10 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 19…… MORE
Normal Council approves two cannabis dispensaries
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The Normal Town Council Monday night approved two special use permits for an adult-use cannabis dispensary. Council chambers were full while members of the community shared their opinions on dispensaries at the proposed locations. Mayor Chris Koos stopped public comments after 30 minutes. The special use permit for High Haven, a Michigan-based…… MORE
Bloomington ranks high as an emerging housing market
By WMBD_TV BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington is ranked number two on the Spring 2023 Top 20 Emerging Housing Markets Index Report. The report was put together by the Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com. Springfield ranked number nine. The report released on Wednesday analyzes key housing market data, economic vitality and lifestyle metrics. The results produce “emerging housing…… MORE
NPD officers report shots fired near Heartland Community College Saturday morning
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Normal Police officers responded to a shots fire call early Saturday morning near Heartland Community College. Police arrived in the 1500 block of Trumbull Avenue shortly after 3:00 after numerous calls were made reporting gunfire. Shell casings were discovered at the location, but no evidence of property damage. According to…… MORE
Illinois gas prices slightly down over the week
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices this week in Illinois are down about 3 cents, averaging $4.02 a gallon, according to GasBuddy. Prices across the state are up about 19 cents from a month ago, but still 38 cents cheaper than a year ago, GasBuddy said in a news release. The lowest price in…… MORE
Drive to lift up Illinois’ Black farmers
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When you think of a farmer, you probably don’t think of a Black person. And you’d be right. State Rep. Sonya Harper (D-Chicago), a Black woman, chairs the Illinois House Agriculture Committee. “In 1920, Illinois had 892 Black farmers. As of the 2017 USDA agricultural census, there are 188 individually…… MORE
State’s largest public employee union is pushing for a raise
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Members of the state’s largest public employee union say caring for the disabled is a tough job – and a low-paying one as well. The bulk of these direct service providers – DSP’s – work for agencies with whom the state contracts. AFSCME is pushing for a raise of four…… 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…