By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.6 days suitable for field work during the week ending August 14, 2022. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 7 percent very short, 16 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 9 percent very short, 12 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 8…… MORE
Tempers flare over funding for underpass in Uptown Normal
By 25 News NORMAL – The Normal Town Council is accepting the federal government’s offer to provide additional funding as inflationary pressures are expected to increase the cost of an underpass in Uptown Normal. However, angry rhetoric preceded the council’s 5-1 vote to receive almost $3.16 million in federal money. Despite inflation worries, town leaders…… MORE
Witness confirms plausibility of suspect details in Brewer murder trial
New testimony says a man accused of killing three people may be telling the truth about what happened.… MORE
Gov. Pritzker rolls out a new program for seniors at the Illinois State Fair
Gov. Pritzker used Senior Day at the Illinois State Fair Monday to roll out a new program for the most senior Illinoisans.… MORE
Epiphany Farms founder: “It’s a little challenging” dealing with record inflation
Local farmers dealing with high costs are feeling the pinch regarding record inflation.… MORE
Illinois gas prices dwindle down, but could be rising again soon
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Illinois gas prices have fallen 12.8 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $4.26 a gallon. GasBuddy says prices in Illinois are 79.5 cents lower than a month ago and stand 96.6 cents higher than this time last year. GasBuddy price reports show the cheapest station in the state…… MORE
ACT Now Illinois looks at after school programs
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – For quality after school care, you need quality employees, and for that, you need more money. That was the gist of an online panel discussion led by ACT Now Illinois, in which the ACT stands for Afterschool for Children and Teens. “One of the things we need to be serious…… MORE
2022 could be a record soybean year for Illinois
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – Corn: Planted area is estimated at 10.7 million acres, down 3 percent from last year. Harvested area, forecast at 10.45 million acres, is down 4 percent from 2021. Based on August 1 conditions, the Illinois corn yield is forecast at 203 bushels per acre, up 1 bushel from 2021. Production is…… MORE
Connect Transit getting $13 million grant from Department of Transportation
By 25 News NORMAL – Connect Transit is getting federal grant money to support the transition to zero-emission and low-emission transit buses. The $13,076,800 going to Connect Transit is going towards its zero-emission service expansion and neighborhood access project, according to a joint release from U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. “Not only will…… MORE
Spotlight on Jesse White during opening day of Illinois State Fair
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – In his final months of his final year (the 24th) as Illinois secretary of state, Jesse White was called upon to perform an important duty: serve as grand marshal of the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade, which was Thursday, the opening day of the fair. The Jesse White Tumblers made…… 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…