NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors canceled the Division I men’s and women’s 2020 basketball tournaments, according to a statement Thursday.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Heartland Community College to extend spring break due to COVID-19
To further prepare for COVID-19, Heartland Community College has announced an extended spring break until March 20. … MORE
Young America Reality offering rent-free housing to affected ISU students
A student housing company is offering rent-free apartments to Illinois State University students in response to ISU’s announcement that all university operating housing will be closed until further notice.… MORE
McLean County Detention Facility cancels all in-house jail visits to prevent spreading of COVID-19
In an effort to prevent the spreading of COVID-19, McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage announced new operational changes at the McLean County Detention Facility.… MORE
State approves license for recreational cannabis sales in Normal
A local medical cannabis dispensary has been granted a license to sell recreational marijuana.… MORE
Big Ten, other conferences cancel basketball tournaments due to coronavirus
The Big Ten Conference announced Thursday that it will be canceling the remainder of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament, effective immediately.… MORE
IHSA to limit attendance at state tournament
The Illinois High School Association announced Thursday that it will significantly limit attendance at the remaining games in the boys basketball state tournament to preemptively reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.… MORE
Sharin’ of the Green Parade in Uptown Normal canceled
The Sharin’ of the Green Parade in Uptown Normal originally scheduled for Saturday has been canceled.… MORE
Two polling places moved in Normal amid concerns of coronavirus
In a special meeting Wednesday night, the McLean County Board agreed to move two polling places in Normal due to concerns of spreading the coronavirus.… MORE
ISU extends spring break due to coronavirus
Due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, Illinois State University President Larry Dietz has announced the school is extending its spring break for students until March 23.… 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…