By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Voting along party lines, the McLean County Board Thursday night rejected a woman from Normal’s bid to fill a vacant board seat after the head of the sheriff deputies’ union said her “anti-police” views would divide the community. Democrat Krystle Able was the only applicant to replace Matt Coates, who…… MORE
Let the Illinois State Fair begin
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The state’s annual showcase of agriculture – the Illinois State Fair – is now open. At Thursday’s ribbon-cutting, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton – tasked with, among other things, heading up a rural affairs commission – talked about the state’s top industry. “All year we have been looking forward to this…… MORE
McLean County’s chief prosecutor to become judge next month
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – McLean County State’s Attorney Don Knapp will leave office and become a judge September 16 instead of after the November election. The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Knapp to fill the vacancy created by Judge Paul Lawrence’s retirement. Knapp won the June 28 Republican Primary for a judgeship in the 11th…… MORE
State rests its case in Clifford Brewer murder trial
The prosecution has rested its case on day four of the Clifford Brewer murder trial in Livingston County.… MORE
Rivian Automotive post quarterly loss of $1.7B in 2Q earning report
Electric vehicle maker Rivian Automotive (RIVN) reported a quarterly loss of $1.7 billion in their second-quarter earnings report.… MORE
Rossi pleads not guilty to federal charges
An accused CEO says he is not guilty of all federal charges he now faces.… MORE
Five Central Illinois firefighters earn ‘stork pin’ for helping deliver a baby
The birth of a baby is exciting, but for two-month-old Corbin Sarsany of Springfield, it was a little too exciting.… MORE
Local Financial Advisor: Inflation Reduction Act “will probably add to inflation”
A $430 billion Inflation Reduction Act is heading to the House of Representatives Friday, but a local financial advisor reports the legislation has little to do with inflation.… MORE
District 87 buildings enhancing school safety and security protocols
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Last week, school leaders and resource officers gathered for a two day conference at Normal Community West High School on how mass school violence incidents can be averted. Data was presented by the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center, with the intention to identify, analyze and act on potential…… MORE
McLean County Coroner ID’s Normal woman found deceased in Bloomington
A missing and possibly endangered Normal woman has been identified as a person found deceased in a vehicle in Bloomington.… 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…