By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – This sounds like a new way to do news. The non-profit model is embraced by, among others, the Better Government Association, whose president is David Greising. “You apply the same rigor (in “solutions journalism”) that you apply in investigative reporting to problems in government to finding out what has been…… MORE
Household Hazardous Waste Collection hosted by McLean County in September
By Jake Fogal On September 17, at Heartland Community College, the Ecology Action Center will host the 2022 McLean County Household Hazardous Waster Collection. Residents of Illinois can dispose of dangerous, flammable, corrosive, reactive, and explosive household products and chemicals during this event. If not properly disposed of, these wastes can pose a major risk…… MORE
Troubled plane lands safely at CIRA
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – Two people are safe after the small engine plane they were piloting experienced trouble landing Thursday afternoon in Bloomington. Central Illinois Regional Airport deputy director Fran Strebing says it happened just before 1:15 PM Thursday. The plane landed and came down the runway into a safety area, which is the…… MORE
No layoffs looming for Rivian’s manufacturing facility in Normal
By HOI ABC NORMAL – No jobs will be cut at Rivian’s manufacturing facility in Normal. A company spokesperson says only non-manufacturing jobs would be affected. This comes after a Bloomberg report of the company prioritizing certain programs, halting certain non-manufacturing hiring and adopting major cost-down efforts. Amazon’s Rivian-made electric delivery vehicles are beginning Thursday to roll out in…… MORE
Mega Millions jackpot grows to $630 million dollars
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – The Mega Millions jackpot is now more than $600 million. No one has been lucky enough to match all Mega Millions numbers since mid-April says Illinois Lottery spokesperson Lorrel Lynch. That’s caused the jackpot for Friday night’s drawing to swell to $630 million. “One of the biggest jackpots we’ve seen…… MORE
Highway mowing is underway across Illinois
By WJBC Staff SPRINGFIELD – Highway mowing is underway, and the Illinois Department of Transportation is urging drivers to slow down when approaching crews. During the summer, IDOT conducts two primary types of mowing. Safety mowing occurs directly adjacent to the road as needed. Maintenance mowing, which lasts for approximately six weeks starting July 1,…… MORE
Coroner releases more information about dead body found in Pekin
By Neil Doyle PEKIN – A dead body found in Pekin earlier this week has been identified as a 38-year-old man from northern Illinois. Tazewell County Coroner Charles Hanley says the man’s name is being withheld until family is notified. The cause of death is pending toxicology testing. Authorities found the body Monday in a…… MORE
License plate-reading cameras approved in Normal
By HOI ABC NORMAL – The Normal Town Council has voted to approve license plate reading traffic cameras purchased from Flock Safety for just over $83,000. Normal Police said earlier that the data obtained from the cameras won’t be shared with or sold to third parties. The information will only be used to solve and reduce…… MORE
YMCA announces grand opening with EasterSeals in move to new facility
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington-Normal YMCA is packing up their boxes at 602 South Main Street and moving across town. The YMCA’s new facility is in partnership with EasterSeals Central Illinois and will debut on Monday, August 22 at 202 Saint Joseph Drive in Bloomington. YMCA’s Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Mainieri, explained the…… MORE
Gov. Pritzker tests positive for COVID-19
By WJBC Staff CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker received a positive test result during his routine COVID-19 testing regimen after being notified of several close contacts testing positive, according to a news release Tuesday. “The Governor is experiencing mild symptoms and has been prescribed the anti-viral medication, Paxlovid. He will follow CDC guidelines by working…… 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…