By WJBC Staff NORMAL – The Illinois State women’s basketball program is mourning the loss of former Redbird player Simone Goods, who passed away on Saturday after a courageous battle with cancer. “I know I speak for our entire woman’s basketball program, and all of Redbird Nation when I say that I am beyond heartbroken…… MORE
Bloomington Council approves contract with city government’s largest workers’ union, deal to cost city almost $800K over 3 years
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council Monday night unanimously approved a three-year contract with 107 union employees that will cost taxpayers almost $800,000 over the life of the deal. The contract covers employees in Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and other departments. They’ll receive a 3.5% raise the first year, a 3%…… MORE
Weekly USDA crop report
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.7 days suitable for field work during the week ending August 21, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 71.3 degrees, 2.5 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.89 inches, 0.11 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 7 percent very short, 20 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 5…… MORE
Divided city council agrees to pay $750K for Downtown Bloomington ‘Streetscape’ plan
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – On a 5-4 vote, the Bloomington City Council Monday night signed off on an agreement to pay an engineering firm $750,000 for a Downtown Bloomington revitalization plan. It’s called a Streetscape design as Heart of Illinois ABC reported in late July and may lead to an estimated $25 million to $30 million…… MORE
Illinois gas prices stay steady in latest fuel report
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Gas prices fell just a penny across the state as the latest gas report shows average prices in Illinois stand at $4.24. According to GasBuddy, prices in Illinois are 62.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand $1.02 a gallon higher than a year ago. The cheapest…… MORE
IDOT introduces new safety program ‘It’s Not a Game, Illinois’
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Fairgoers had a chance to put on some virtual reality goggles which are supposed to imitate the effects of having a .08 percent blood alcohol level. That’s too drunk to drive. Participants then attempted tasks which are seemingly simple – if you are sober. “Fatalities are up on…… MORE
Illinois State Fair Golden Abe awards
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – You know that there are plenty of calories summoning you to the vendors at the Illinois State Fair, and the Golden Abe awards – the winners voted on by fairgoers – have formally recognized the favorites for the past few years. Behold the 2022 grand prize winner: fried key lime…… MORE
Newest Illinois Supreme Court justice is getting used to her new duties
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The newest member of the Illinois Supreme Court, Justice Lisa Holder White, is a true trailblazer. “I’m very honored to be the first Black woman, and, quite frankly, I’m thankful for the people who came before me who maybe didn’t have that type of opportunity,” Holder White said during an…… MORE
Normal Police probing armed robbery near ISU
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Normal Police are investigating an armed robbery that happened Sunday night near Illinois State University. Authorities were called around 7 p.m. to the 707 Liquors and Mart at 315 West Beaufort Street. Police say a man in a ski mask pulled a knife on the store clerk and ran away…… MORE
Republican day at the Illinois State Fair
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When Republican Bruce Rauner was governor, he arrived at his party’s Illinois State Fair rally on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia), the GOP candidate for governor this year, may have done him one better: showing up in a green John Deere 410 tractor. That was part of…… 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…