Weather this past week was fine for farming in Illinois

Posted on August 2, 2022

By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.4 days suitable for field work during the week ending July 31, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 72.2 degrees, 2.5 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 1.43 inches, 0.59 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 3 percent very short, 23 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and 13…… MORE

Illinois gas prices fall 21 cents over past week

Posted on August 1, 2022

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Illinois gas prices fell nearly 21 cents over the past week, averaging $4.61 a gallon. According to GasBuddy’s daily survey of over 43-hundred stations in Illinois, prices in the state are 76 cents lower than a month ago. “We continue to see average gas prices falling in every sate, with…… MORE

Normal Police investigating weekend stabbing

Posted on August 1, 2022

By HOI ABC NORMAL (Heart of Illinois ABC) – The Normal Police Department is investigating a stabbing Friday night that left one person injured. According to Sgt. Brad Underwood, officers responded to the 1000 block of Charlotte Dr., down the road from Fairview Park around 5 pm. Police found a 27-year-old man with a stab…… MORE

50 non-manufacturing jobs affected by reorganization at Rivian facility in Normal

Posted on July 30, 2022

By HOI ABC NORMAL – Rivian says 50 people with non-manufacturing positions and who worked at the Normal manufacturing facility were laid off. In a statement, the company says the Normal facility employs around 6,000 people. This comes after the company said six percent of the workforce would be laid off. Rivian statement: This week, Rivian realigned…… 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…