By ISABELLA SCHOONOVERMedill Illinois News [email protected] CHICAGO — The Trump administration took the unprecedented step of halting work on the next National Climate Assessment last week, dismissing all 400 volunteer scientists who were tasked with writing the new version of the report. Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford was among those dismissed in his volunteer capacity…… MORE
Central Illinois man may get decades for murder, RICO charges
A Central Peoria man, facing murder and RICO allegations, will appear in court on Monday to see if he will be held pending trial.… MORE
Heyworth agriculture program earns prestigious state honor
A central Illinois school district was given an enormous honor for their achievement in agriculture.… MORE
‘Our identity has been frozen in time’: How Native American advocates are influencing Springfield
Amid the annual bustle at the Illinois Capitol during the legislative session’s midpoint, a sea of color and singing filled the rotunda on a sunny March day. … MORE
“My teammates are amazing.” IWU senior thanks friends after breaking HR record
Illinois Wesleyan softball clinched yet another conference title on Saturday, and one senior made school history in the process.… MORE
Fire in Bloomington causes residents to be displaced; firefighter suffers heat exhaustion
Two people were displaced and a firefighter was treated with heat exhaustion after a fire broke out in a converted two-story home.… MORE
McLean County Coroner Identifies man who drowned in Lake Bloomington
McLean County Coroner Kathleen Yoder identified a man who drowned in Lake Bloomington on Thursday.… MORE
Man suffers non life-threatening injuries after Bloomington stabbing
One person was hospitalized after being stabbed earlier Friday morning at a Bloomington apartment building.… MORE
Farmers kicking off the 2025 planting season
Planting season for farmers in Illinois typically kicks off in March and goes through April and May.… MORE
Miller Park Zoo to host event to raise awareness on endangered species
The Miller Park Zoo will host a day of activities to help raise awareness about Endangered Species on May 17.… 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…