By HOI ABC NORMAL – A man from Normal has been charged with possession of child pornography, Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office announced today. Andrew F. Bachman, 32, was charged in McLean County Circuit Court with 11 counts of possession of child pornography. Each of these are class 2 felonies punishable by three to seven…… MORE
Miller Park Zoo conducting name contest for new baby mulefoot hog
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – On July 5, Miller Park Zoo received a baby mulefoot hog and the Zoo needs your help to name him before his public debut in August. In late May, a litter of mulefoot hogs were born at Coop’s Mound Mulefoots in Carlinville, Ill. From that litter, one male was chosen…… MORE
Concerns rise as carp disease floods Lake Bloomington
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington is advising the public of a carp disease at Lake Bloomington. After numerous messages from the Lake Bloomington Community, it’s reported that there is a large number of dead fish at the lake. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has noted the situation is not a…… MORE
USDA: Illinois crop conditions improve over the week
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 4.8 days suitable for field work during the week ending July 10, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 77.5 degrees, 1.5 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 2.07 inches, 1.22 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 9 percent very short, 22 percent short, 59 percent adequate, and 10…… MORE
Parking ticket amnesty proposal never makes it to a vote in Bloomington
By HOI ABC and WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington City Council members didn’t vote Monday night on a proposal for parking ticket amnesty that would benefit area kids. Several questions came up about repeat parking ticket offenders, more than 50 of them, and whether they should have to pay. Under the proposal, the city would…… MORE
According to a report, Rivian is on the verge of laying off workers
According to a report from Bloomberg, Rivian Automotive is on the verge of laying off hundreds of workers.… MORE
Alton man behind bars in McLean County on multiple weapon charges
An Alton man is behind bars in McLean County for allegedly keeping a woman hostage in LeRoy over the weekend.… MORE
Little libraries burned to ground across Bloomington-Normal
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – A recent uptick in book boxes being set on fire have spread throughout the Twin City area. Little libraries throughout Bloomington-Normal have recently been set ablaze and burned to the ground. A victim of burned little libraries throughout Bloomington, Bob Williams, doesn’t understand the recent hate. “I was pretty ticked…… MORE
Illinois 4th grader competing to win Doodle for Google contest
By Jake Fogal FREEPORT – The fourteenth annual Doodle for Google competition is down to 54 contestants, with one from each State and Territory. Fourth grader Amelia Winter of Freeport is Illinois’ winner, and she dedicated her doodle to her dog Dasher. “In art class, that was what we were assigned to do as our…… MORE
Gasoline prices in Illinois down 45 cents over last month
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Illinois gas prices have dropped 16 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $5.15 today. According to GasBuddy, gas prices in Illinois are 45 cents lower than a month and year ago. The cheapest station in the state is $4.09, while the most expensive is $6.79 a gallon. “The…… 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…