The Federal Reserve is hiking interest rates to stave off inflation for the second time in a row.… MORE
Category Archives: Business
Rivian prepares for possible plant expansion in Normal
Rivian Automotive is looking to significantly expand its footprint at its plant in west Normal, while adding hundreds of workers to produce electric vehicles.… MORE
Stocks on the rise after President Trump tweets support for a focused stimulus plan
Wall Street stocks are on the rise after President Trump announced he would like to provide aid to airlines along with individual stimulus checks to Americans in the hope that lawmakers could pass a smaller aid stimulus package.… MORE
It’s showtime: Normal Theater to open next month
Movie lovers rejoice! The Normal Theater is reopening its doors after being shuttered due to the ongoing Coronaivurs pandemic.… MORE
Business leader calls reopening plan out of balance
What we want to do is to go ahead and spur demand, because there is no substitute for demand in the economy… MORE
COVID-19 travel restrictions hurting local hotels
With Gov. Pritzker extending the “stay-at-home” guidelines until April 30, local hotels are feeling the pinch of decreased travel.… MORE
Koos vows to support local business
Gov. Pritzker announced Sunday the closure of restaurants and bars until March 30; however, Normal Mayor Kris Koos said he would be ditching cooking at home and order carry out as much as possible.… MORE
Financial Advisor: “This was kind of a surprise” reacting to recent Fed rate cut
For the first time since 2008, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates on Tuesday by 50 basis points, and one local financial advisor was surprised with the move.… MORE
Financial Advisor: ‘Keep things into perspective’ with record market drops
Despite dropping 2,267 points in the past four days with fears of the Coronavirus, two local investors are advising investors not to read today’s headlines and sellout.… MORE
Normal Town Council gives green light for marijuana dispensary
Bloomington-Normal’s only business licensed to sell marijuana for medical use has permission from local leaders to become the first dispensary in the Twin Cities to sell cannabis for recreational use.… 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…