By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Police are investigating a shots fired incident that happened Wednesday night on Bloomington’s near east side. Officers were called about 11 p.m. to the 500 block of East Douglas Street for a shooting. When BPD arrived on scene they located evidence that a residence had been struck by gunfire. No…… MORE
Police: 2 pedestrians in critical condition after being hit outside Pub II
By Neil Doyle UPDATE (NORMAL) – Illinois State University Police Department says the two pedestrians were ISU students. NORMAL – Two male pedestrians are in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle outside Pub II early Thursday morning, according to Normal Police. Police said a car crashed into Pub II, located at 102 North…… MORE
Gov. Pritzker issues disaster declaration in an attempt to get federal help with migrants
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday called up 75 members of the Illinois National Guard to help organize shelter, food and medical care for migrants arriving by bus from Texas. About 500 people seeking asylum in the United States have been transported from the border by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott since…… MORE
NPD: Suspect had BB gun in hotel standoff
By Neil Doyle and 25 News NORMAL – A man has been arrested after reports of a rifle pointing out a hotel window in Normal. Police Chief Steve Petrilli said officers arrived on the scene around 2:30 Wednesday afternoon at the Comfort Suites in the 300 block of Greenbriar Drive. As police evacuated rooms and…… MORE
Pork and Pigskins first round voting is underway
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – First round voting to find the state’s best pork chop sandwich is underway in the Illinois High School Association’s and Illinois Pork Producers Association’s (IPPA) Pork and Pigskins Championship. 58 contenders will look to advance out of the first round into the Savory 16. Voting is currently open online here.…… MORE
City names new director of Miller Park Zoo
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington has named a new director of the Miller Park Zoo. Jay Pratte comes to the city after holding positions with the Dallas Zoo, Zoo Atlanta, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and the Utica Zoo. He replaces Jay Tetzloff who served as the zoo’s director for…… MORE
Arson charges filed against Bloomington man in early morning apartment fire
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man faces several arson charges related to an apartment complex fire early Monday morning. 23-year-old Roman Kannaday faces six counts of aggravated arson, three counts of resisting a peace officer, and one count of violating the Illinois Pyrotechnic Use Act. Bond was set at $200,000 Tuesday. Prosecutors say…… MORE
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne Burke has announced her retirement
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The state’s latest high-profile retiree says … it’s time. “If you were 78 years old,” says Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne Burke, “and you had been working since you were fifteen or going to school and raising a family of five, you would think, maybe it’s time to take…… MORE
ISU Director of Admissions: Incoming class brings “all kinds of diversity”
Illinois State University is setting record numbers for its incoming freshman class, but the school’s top brass is also touting other enrollment numbers.… MORE
Capitol complex in Springfield is missing a statue
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The state’s assessing the damage to the statue of Martin Luther King Jr., on the Capitol complex, while a man faces a charge of criminal damage to state property. “Sunday evening, we estimate about 11:00,” said Dave Druker, a spokesman for the Illinois secretary of state’s office, “a person came…… 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…