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
Effort underway to block referendum in Normal creating council districts instead of at-large representation
By 25 News NORMAL – A challenge has been made to efforts aiming to create town council districts in Normal rather than the current system of council members representing the entire community. Normal resident Patrick J. Dullard has filed with the clerk’s office an objection to petitions calling for a voter referendum this November. Dullard…… MORE
Illinois State Police release details of summer firearm enforcement blitz
Illinois State Police is announcing the result of a summer firearm enforcement blitz.… MORE
Normal’s Citizen of the Year praised for training leaders to make a difference
A woman who co-founded the Multicultural Leadership Institute in the Twin-Cities is being honored as Normal’s Citizen of the Year.… MORE
Twin City school zone speed limits are in effect as school is back in session
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Kiddos are returning to school this week throughout the Twin City, and keeping them safe is a top priority. Under Illinois law, motorists are prohibited from driving faster than 20 mph while passing a school zone on a school day when children are present. Bloomington Police Department’s Public Information Officer,…… MORE
ISU men’s and women’s hoops release non-conference schedules for upcoming season
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Illinois State have dropped their non-conference schedules for the upcoming season. Following an NCAA tournament appearance, head coach Kristen Gillespie unveiled the women’s schedule for the reigning Missouri Valley Conference Champions, knowing that tougher competition better prepares her players. “We’re facing some…… 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…