Federal money is coming to Central Illinois Regional Airport to help rehab a runway and to purchase fire-fighting equipment.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
B-N Convention and Visitor’s Bureau appoints interim executive director
The former head of the Illinois High School Association will step in as the temporary executive director of the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.… MORE
ISU partners with DESTIHL Brewery for 2 officially licensed beers
Illinois State University is partnering with DESTIHL Brewery to launch two new officially licensed beers, the Redbird Ale and Battle Bird Lager.… MORE
Bloomington to begin towing repeat parking violators
In a 6-1 vote, the Bloomington City Council approved a measure that would implement a towing service targeting people with repeat parking violations in the downtown area.… MORE
Downtown Bloomington to give people ‘more time’ with increased parking limit
The Bloomington City Council Monday night approved a resolution to extend parking times downtown from 90 minutes to two hours.… MORE
Festival of Joy returns to downtown Bloomington
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The 15th annual Festival of Joy transformed the downtown Bloomington area into a mini India. Many wore colorful Indian clothes, got henna tattoos, and face dot face paintings. The Indian cuisine featured plant-based foods. A parade with many people walked down the street singing Hare Krishna. You could also dance, do yoga, or…… MORE
Bloomington-Normal NAACP rallying for more people to vote
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Community members packed inside the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington for “Hear Our Voices – A Rally For Democracy.” The Bloomington-Normal chapter of the NAACP hosted the event to encourage Black people to vote. Guests heard from speakers like Brian Peterson with Omega Psi Phi, and other leaders in the…… MORE
Unit 5 Bus Drivers and First Student at impasse in contract negotiations
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The clock is ticking for a national bus company to get a deal done that impacts bus drivers and bus monitors in Unit 5. At the latest school board meeting, Steven Dean, vice-president for the union representing the bus drivers and bus monitors, gave an update on their contract negotiations with First…… MORE
ISU selected as partner for Central Illinois regional simulation training hub by DCFS
The Illinois Department of Child and Family Services has selected Illinois State University as one of four regional training hubs when the university’s Child Protection Training Academy opens in early November.… MORE
BEER Nuts reopening company store in Bloomington
BEER Nuts Brand Snacks announced over the weekend that its company store will be reopening next month.… 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…