By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The chase for the gold begins at Hancock Stadium this weekend. The Special Olympics start their Summer Games off Friday with more than 3,000 athletes and Unified partners participating in the the three-day event at Illinois State University. Athletes will compete in a variety of events including athletics, traditional and unified bocce, powerlifting,…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – On Saturday, join the Miller Park Zoo for its 133rd birthday celebration. The birthday party also lands on World Oceans Day. In conjunction with the ocean’s theme, the Illinois MerPod will be present to talk about ocean conservation. Silvia Schuh, the zoo’s events and volunteer coordinator, said it’s an honor for the zoo…… MORE
A Bloomington man stands accused of multiple Class X felonies for allegedly having a large amount of cocaine.… MORE
By WMBD-TV and Jake Fogal NORMAL – Rivian Automotive introduced the second generation of its R1S SUV and R1T pickup truck on Thursday. According to Rivian, the vehicles have been completely reengineered through hardware improvements and performance upgrades. The vehicles maintain their iconic design but will have new motor configurations, design elements, and trim and…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police received several calls Wednesday night for shots fired west of the downtown area. BPD officers responded to the 1000 block of West Front Street, and confirmed that gunshots had occurred in the area. There were no injuries or property damage reported as a result of this incident. The…… MORE
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – A new gathering space at Heartland Community College has been named for prominent community leaders and friends of the college. According to a news release, the Dobski Family Plaza is named for donors Bob and Julie Dobski, whose financial contribution to the project made the space possible. The plaza was unveiled…… MORE
With an attorney finally on board his defense team, a 20-year-old Georgia man will appear back in court in late August for a review hearing.… MORE
Heartland Community College recently recognized seven individuals for their role in expanding the college and serving the student body.… MORE
An amendment to the 2024 farm bill could prohibit intoxicating hemp products nationwide.… MORE
The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced that the largest measles outbreak to affect the state since 1990 has been contained.… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…