After recreational marijuana passed the Illinois House and awaits Gov. Pritzker’s signature, Illinois State University Athletic Director Larry Lyons is speaking out on the side effects it will have on sports.… MORE
Signed into law: Gov. Pritzker celebrates 2020 budget
Wednesday was time for another celebration by the governor.… MORE
BPD’s Cop on Top raises cash for Illinois Special Olympics
Keepers of the flame at Bloomington Police Department spent a dozen hours Wednesday on top of a donut shop, not for a dozen donuts, but instead to raise money for Special Olympics of Illinois.… MORE
Connect Transit board nominee asked to step down
One of Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner’s picks to fill future vacancies on the Connect Transit board is being asked to withdraw his name from consideration for the job.… MORE
UPDATED: Miller Park Zoo sought to keep flamingo’s death under wraps
If Miller Park Zoo Superintendent Jay Tetzloff had his way, the public would not have known about the flamingo put down last month after a child threw a rock and hit the bird.… MORE
OSF St. Joseph breaks ground on new chapel
A local hospital is ready to break ground on a new 3,000 square foot chapel.… MORE
New law requires high school students to apply for college aid before graduation
In addition to math, science, reading, and gym class, Illinois high school students will soon have a financial aid requirement to graduate high school. … MORE
Gov. Pritzker visits flooded communities
One piece of advice Gov. JB Pritzker received before taking office: be prepared for a disaster.… MORE
Miller Park Zoo Superintendent: ‘This was truly an accident’ after flamingo death
Just 14-days after a flamingo had to be euthanized from being struck by a rock, Miller Park Zoo Superintendent Jay Tetzloff is telling his side of the story.… MORE
Connect Transit’s McCurdy ready to meet with Normal council, doubles down on route cut
Leaders of Bloomington-Normal’s transit system said Tuesday evening they’re prepared to defend their budget to Normal’s Town Council in two weeks, but the transit board’s chairman indicated it’s unlikely a bus route running through north Normal will be saved.… 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…