BloNo’s biggest shopping day of the year is happening at the Parke Regency Hotel & Conference Center on November 12th!… MORE
3 people hurt in Woodford County crash
The Woodford County Sheriff’s Office said three people were taken to an area hospital after a two-car crash late Thursday morning on Illinois Route 117, between Goodfield and Eureka.… MORE
Mississippi River drying up, causing exporters to look elsewhere
Just as farmers are putting their final touches on their harvest season, another crisis is hurting the amount of grain farmers can transport.… MORE
Widmer Family Plaza unveiled at Heartland Community College
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Heartland Community College opened a new plaza dedicated to former president Rob Widmer and his family. The college held a ceremony Wednesday in front of the Community Commons Building at the main campus in Normal where the plaza is located. It honors former HCC President Rob Widmer’s tenure with the…… MORE
Unit 5 votes to push the secure storage solution
By 25 News NORMAL – The Unit 5 school board voted Wednesday night to approve the Secure Storage Solution which will provide information to families and students about gun safety. Information will now be in the student handbook on how to safely store a gun. Superintendent Kristen Weikle adds providing this information may help with…… MORE
State school board is intensifying its effort to diversify school faculty
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – If your child is in school, it’s likely his or her teacher is a white woman. So the Illinois State Board of Education is trying to make the faculty look more like the student body. Teacher mentors will convene teachers of color into “affinity groups” around the state, ISBE’s executive…… MORE
The day after the second gubernatorial debate, State Sen. Bailey greeted supporters in Springfield
The day after the second and final debate for the gubernatorial campaign Tuesday, State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) allowed himself a victory lap. He greeted supporters Wednesday at the Pizza Ranch, a Springfield buffet.… MORE
Manufacturing is booming in McLean County – but for the rest of the state, not so much
The top brass at the Illinois Manufacturing Association reports manufacturing is booming in McLean county – but around the state, not so much.… MORE
ISAC urges eligible borrowers to fill out the newly released student debt relief online application
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is urging eligible borrowers to fill out the newly released application for student debt relief. To qualify, borrowers must be under set income thresholds and have a federal pell grant or one of several federal loans. ISAC spokesperson Lynn Baker says everyone who thinks they…… MORE
Second televised gubernatorial debate between Pritzker and Bailey
By Dave Dahl CHICAGO – It’s impossible to tell whether any minds were changed during Tuesday’s gubernatorial debate, the second and final statewide debate put on by Nexstar Broadcasting and aired on its stations around the state, including WMBD Channel 31 in the Bloomington area. When asked what he believes the phrase “Black lives matter”…… 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…