Bloomington’s city government is calling off some major events, and taking other steps aimed at reducing the chance for coronavirus cases to occur in the area.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
State Farm and COUNTRY Financial announce social distancing to prevent COVID-19
State Farm and COUNTRY Financial are implementing social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. … MORE
IWU extends spring break due to COVID-19
To further prepare for COVID-19, Illinois Wesleyan University has extended spring break until March 22, then transitioning to distance learning methods.… MORE
NCAA cancels men’s, women’s Division I basketball tournaments amid coronavirus fears
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
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
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…