By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Will it be Kansas City or Philadelphia this weekend in the Big Game? One of the animals at the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington has made his prediction. King Julian, the lemur who has been living at the Miller Park Zoo, is riding with the Eagles this weekend. WJBC’s Scott…… MORE
Normal, Peoria Bed Bath & Beyond stores to close
By 25 News NORMAL – The Bed Bath & Beyond stores in Normal and Peoria will soon close, according to an updated store closing list posted by the company. A closing date for the stores is currently not known. The struggling company announced Tuesday 150 more stores set to close. The announcement came after the company based in Union,…… MORE
Overnight fire in Normal displaces four residents
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Four residents were displaced after an overnight house fire in Normal. Firefighters were called Thursday at 12:42 a.m. and responded to 208 Parktrail Road for a blaze in an upstairs bedroom. According to a news release, firefighters fought the fire upstairs while other crews searched the residence for any other…… MORE
14-year-old arrested after investigation into 2022 armed robberies in Normal
By 25 News NORMAL – Normal Police arrested a 14-year-old boy Tuesday after a lengthy investigation into two separate armed robbery incidents. Police say that on December 7, 2022, two victims were approached bys suspects in Fairview Park who displayed a firearm and threatened the victims. The suspects took the victims’ cell phones and ran…… MORE
Libertarians denounce Normal Town Council’s opposition to cannabis dispensary
By 25 News NORMAL – The McLean County Libertarian Party has adopted a resolution claiming the Normal’s Town Council’s refusal to allow a recreational use cannabis dispensary runs counter to free market economic principles. The council Monday night voted 6-1 against allowing business owners to turn a Chinese restaurant into the High Haven dispensary near College…… MORE
District 87 board member resigns following drunk driving conviction
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – A District 87 board member has officially resigned after his conviction and sentencing for repeat drunk driving. Superintendant Dr. David Mouser says that during the current 2022-2023 school year, Fitzgerald Samedy attended two meetings – in August and November. He pleaded guilty December 2022 to aggravated DUI and driving with a revoked…… MORE
Illinois Freedom Caucus blames governor for rising cost of energy
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Your utility bills are too high, and the Illinois Freedom Caucus says it’s Gov. JB Pritzker’s fault. “It’s just another attack on the middle class and seniors on fixed incomes, you know electric bills have been exploding under Gov. Pritzker’s radical agenda to destroy Illinois,” said State Rep. Chris Miller…… MORE
Illinois Democrats are pushing for a child tax credit
Illinois Democrats are pushing a proposed child tax credit.… MORE
Peoria, Normal Bed Bath & Beyond stores to close in updated closing list
The Bed Bath & Beyond stores in Peoria and Normal will soon close.… MORE
DOJ: Food manufacturing company with Gridley factory pleads guilty in connection with 2018 salmonella outbreak
By 25 News GRIDLEY – A food and ingredient manufacturing company with a facility in Gridley pleaded guilty February 3 to a charge that it manufactured breakfast cereal under insanitary conditions that was linked to a salmonella outbreak in 2018. A release from the Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs says Kerry Inc. pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor…… 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…