By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending November 13, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 46.4 degrees, 3.8 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.11 inches, 0.61 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent very short, 17 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 1…… MORE
City of Bloomington provides update on Washington St. road closure
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – With the ongoing environmental cleanup at the Nicor Bloomington Gas Manufactured Gas Plant on Washington Street the City of Bloomington is aware the prolonged street closure in the area is an inconvenience to many. It was discovered that Washington Street’s underlying soils may no longer be stable. Therefore, Washington Street…… MORE
Illinois gas prices fall a few cents in latest gas report
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Illinois gas prices have fallen nearly 15 cents over this past week, averaging $4.14 a gallon. According to GasBuddy’s daily survey of over 43-hundred stations in Illinois, prices in the state are 20.6 cents lower than a month ago. The cheapest station in Illinois is priced at $3.32 while the…… MORE
USDA November yield numbers have been released
By Dave Dahl (USDA) – The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service has released its November crop yield forecast. Corn: Planted area is estimated at 10.8 million acres, down 2 percent from last year. Harvested area, forecast at 10.55 million acres, is down 3 percent from 2021. Based on November 1 conditions, the Illinois corn yield…… MORE
State Rep. Caulkins not happy about reports pointing to new leadership
State Rep. Dan Caulkins (pictured) (R-Decatur) is not happy about reports pointing to State Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) as the new leader of the Illinois House Republican caucus. McCombie herself Friday texted WJBC News, “I have the majority of votes.”… MORE
State Rep. McCombie and State Sen. Curran have enough votes for leadership positions
WJBC News has confirmed that State Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) and State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) have enough votes to win Tuesday’s leadership elections.… MORE
State Rep. Butler resigns to become President of the Illinois Railroad Association
The turnstiles continue to spin at the Capitol, even though the election’s over.… MORE
House Minority Leader shares a few words as he departs his leadership position
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – On his way out of leadership, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) had some things to say that his fellow Republicans are unlikely to appreciate. “The party needs to embrace people whom they have excluded over the past 10-15 years. Those are people who take issue on same-sex marriage…… MORE
Woman stabbed several times in Bloomington late Thursday evening
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – A woman is hospitalized with very serious injuries after a man stabbed her Thursday night on Bloomington’s east side, a police lieutenant said. The woman suffered “multiple” stab wounds about 9:25 p.m. in an apartment in the 2100 block of Todd Drive, near East Empire Street, the lieutenant also said.…… MORE
Driver, passenger cited, transported to area hospital after single-vehicle crash in Fulton County
The driver and passenger of a semi were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a single-vehicle crash in Fulton County at 9:24 a.m. Thursday.… 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…