State Representative Dan Brady, who is part owner of Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Funeral Home, says the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way funerals are conducted.… MORE
Category Archives: Headlines
U.S. Travel Association CEO: “Pandemic will cost travel industry $355 billion and 4 million jobs”
The U.S. Travel Association has released a dire forecast of the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic.… MORE
Three new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in McLean County
Local health officials are reporting three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mclean County, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to four.… 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
State Sen. Jason Barickman: Closure of restaurants and bars will be ‘devastating’
On Sunday, Gov. Pritzker announced starting Monday night through March 30 due to COVID-19; however, one local lawmaker said Pritzker’s decision could have a rippling effect on the economy.… MORE
Local Wealth Advisor: Fed rate cut “is not going to help right now”
By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON – To bolster the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve announced Sunday a rate cut, and one local financial advisor says the cut will not help. The Federal Reserve, led by Chair Jerome Powell, cut rates by a full percentage point to zero. The benchmark rate is now a…… MORE
Bradley, Illinois State University won’t rule out online-only classes after spring break
Bradley and Illinois State University are considering “contingency plans” that could include online-only classes, according to spokespeople from both schools. Neither school had anything to announce Tuesday night.… MORE
Amtrak: Passenger on train that stopped in B-N tested positive for Coronavirus
An Amtrak train that makes stops in Pontiac and Normal is suspected of carrying the coronavirus.… MORE
Scoring a Goal: Members of Chicago Blackhawks staff hosts hockey clinic at Bloomington school
Designed to teach kids the foundations of hockey, members of the Chicago Blackhawks staff donated equipment and training sessions to Washington Elementary School.… 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
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…