By Neil Doyle and WMBD-TV NORMAL – Two people were injured after a shooting Monday night on the north side of Normal. The incident happened in the 700 block of Orlando Avenue at the Orlando Northbrook Estates, according to our news partner WMBD-TV. Police told WMBD-TV that two adult males were shot and transported to…… MORE
Fuel costs trickle down in latest GasBuddy Price Report
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices continue to drop across the state as the latest gas report shows prices at the pump are down less than a cent over the past week. According to GasBuddy, prices in Illinois are 8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand 81 cents a gallon…… MORE
U of I expert sees no downside in four-day work week
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The practice of the four-day work week is growing in Europe, and a University of Illinois expert sees no downside. And labor and employment relations professor Bob Bruno says the concept is not new. “A good third or more of workers do not work Monday-through-Friday, and there is simply no…… MORE
Sunday morning house fire on Bloomington’s east side
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Emergency crews responded Sunday morning to a house fire on Bloomington’s east side. Firefighters were called just before 7:30 a.m. to 53 Prenzler Drive for reports of a fire on the first floor of a two-story house. The fire was located in the center of the home and was quickly…… MORE
Wine-makers of Illinois trying to get the word out
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Decades after forming its own trade association, Illinois wine is largely still a hidden gem. “Oh no, “ says Lisa Ellis, executive director of the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance, meeting in Springfield. “Our producers are small, without those massive budgets and major distribution channels, So we continue to…… MORE
Settlement reached in woman’s suit accusing ex-Normal Police officer of $12,000 theft
By 25 News MCLEAN COUNTY – A former Normal Police officer who pleaded guilty to official misconduct for stealing $12,000 from a home in 2019 has reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit filed by the theft victim. Terms of the settlement between Lindsey Holzhauer and former officer Brian Williams were not disclosed in the…… MORE
Logan County mourns officer stricken while on duty at the courthouse
By 25 News LINCOLN – A retired Lincoln Police chief, and more recently the chief of security at the Logan County Courthouse is being remembered for his dedication, his bravery and heroism. Robert “Bob” Rawlins, 63, suffered a medical emergency while on duty at the courthouse, and died just before noon on Tuesday, said Logan…… MORE
State comptroller wants bill to further improve rainy day fund
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is proud of the state’s rainy day fund, but she wants a commitment to regularly put money into it. “Under current law, the fund is supposed to receive annual deposits when state revenue estimates grow by more than four percent,” Mendoza told a House committee. “However,…… MORE
Governor announces $60 million in grants for parks around the state
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Wednesday was a beautiful day to be outdoors, and that was fitting for Gov. JB Pritzker’s announcement of $60 million in parks grants statewide. The money comes from a program called OSLAD – Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development. Some of the money will go to disadvantaged areas. “This means…… MORE
Victim Identified: Deadly February crash in McLean County
By 25 News MCLEAN COUNTY – Authorities have identified the victim of a Tuesday morning crash on Interstate 55. Cory Geist, 25, has been identified as the driver who died in a two-vehicle crash on I-55 Southbound near LaGrange Road, or mile post 146 near McLean. It was just before 2:00 a.m. when Geist’s box truck…… 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…