District 87 is joining a nationwide campaign to make parents more aware of gun safety inside their homes.… MORE
Max Armstrong: Harvest season getting underway in Illinois
As fields begin to dry out, farmers across central Illinois are starting up their combines for the fall harvest season.… MORE
Illinois gas prices rise for the first time in 14 weeks
BLOOMINGTON – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have risen for the first time in 14 weeks, up 2.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.92 a gallon. “One of the longest gas price declines on record has finally come to an end after 14 weeks, with gas prices shooting up in several regions…… MORE
IDOA director looks back at last month’s Illinois State Fair
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The state Department of Agriculture is shedding a little light on how it came up with this year’s attendance numbers for the Illinois State Fair. It’s a sophisticated formula under industry-accepted standards, says ag director Jerry Costello. “The formula and the standards that are used are formulas and standards that…… MORE
Bloomington City Council to vote on manager’s pay raise
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington City Council members will vote Monday night on a 3.5% pay increase for City Manager Tim Gleason that would boost his annual salary to almost $210,000. Gleason has been running the city government since 2018, and his performance reviews earned the highest ranking, exceeding expectations, according to a council…… MORE
2nd candidate emerges for Bloomington City Council seat
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – A recent Illinois Wesleyan University graduate is the second candidate to announce plans to run next year for the Bloomington City Council. Jordan Baker wants to represent Ward 6, which covers much of the downtown area and parts of Bloomington’s west side. Baker announced his plans last week on his Facebook…… MORE
Normal Community back in win column with Week 5 win over Bloomington Purple Raiders
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – As rain fell from above and lightning lit up the sky, tough playing conditions and delays played the main factor in Normal Communities win over the Bloomington Purple Raiders, 35-7. The game was called with 5:19 left to go in the fourth quarter, as lightning filled the sky for the…… MORE
Connect Transit celebrates new infrastructures for bus systems
Innovation is growing within public transportation for people who are regulars to bus riding locally.… MORE
Apple n’ Pork Festival this weekend in DeWitt County
By RFD Radio CLINTON – Thousands of people will be heading to DeWitt County this weekend for the Apple n’ Pork Festival. Director of the CH Moore Homestead and DeWitt County Museum Joey Long says the festival, which has been happening for over 50 years, is a special opportunity to take a step back in…… MORE
Comptroller Susana Mendoza celebrates a victory in the Illinois Supreme Court
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A pair of former lawmakers have lost in the Illinois Supreme Court, in an attempt to gain a belated payday. The high court’s unanimous decision gave Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza a chance to take a victory lap. “I think it’s just the height of shamelessness to, once you leave office,…… 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…