A Chicago man is behind bars in McLean County after a shooting early Wednesday morning.… MORE
State Farm ends partnership with group promoting LGBTQ+ education
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – State Farm Insurance is ending its partnership with an organization promoting education about transgender youth, saying the topic should not be required learning in schools. The Bloomington-based company acknowledges its support for the “philanthropic” program GenderCool, has been the subject of news and customer inquiries. Backlash against State Farm included an…… MORE
Stephen Douglas biographer wants the statue returned to the Capitol grounds
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The “Little Giant” has a big cheerleader who wants the Stephen Douglas statue returned to the Capitol lawn. Reg Ankrom of Quincy is two thirds of the way through writing a trilogy biography of Douglas and has a spirited defense at the ready: “Douglas did not own slaves.” Ankrom notes…… MORE
Normal Police beefing up patrols for Memorial Day holiday
Ahead of the busiest travel day of the year, Normal Police are beefing up patrols for Memorial Day.… MORE
Rivian Automotive launching Farmers’ Market for employees only
Rivian Automotive is welcoming a series of Farmers’ Markets at their manufacturing facilities in Normal.… MORE
Clinton School District banning cell phones in the classroom
There’s a lot of debate on if cell phones should be allowed in the classroom, but one central Illinois Superintendent is making his stance clear… MORE
BPD: New suspect vehicle from armed robbery last week
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Police are releasing new information about a vehicle that was possibly used during an armed robbery and shooting last week on Bloomington’s southeast side. Officers were called on Wednesday, May 25 around 2:38 p.m. for a hold up at a pawn shop in the 2000 block of Ireland Grove Road.…… MORE
Illinois crops are finally getting caught up
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 4.6 days suitable for field work during the week ending May 22, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 66.1 degrees, 1.0 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.40 inches, 0.51 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 7 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 23 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture…… MORE
Tax breaks approved for ex-Bloomington alderman’s downtown rehab plans
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council has signed off on a deal offering tax breaks for a former alderman who wants to expand his downtown business and create space for two other retailers. The council voted unanimously Monday night for an agreement in which local tax incentives would fund approximately 17% of…… MORE
Normal woman facing gun charges after shooting
A Normal woman remains behind bars in McLean County after a domestic dispute last week.… 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…