A new set of babies have been born at Miller Park Zoo.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Council welcomes report showing arena losing less money
Bloomington city leaders think they may have turned a corner with taxpayer-owned Grossinger Motors Arena.… MORE
Pensions cloud Normal’s financial outlook
Leaders in Normal said Monday night the town’s finances are heading in the right direction after setbacks last year, even as the local government grapples with funding pensions for first responders.… MORE
Bloomington leaders to decide soon whether to allow marijuana sales
Bloomington’s cannabis task force will be up and running in the coming days as city council members say the first task should be to decide whether marijuana sales should be allowed at all in the city.… MORE
New lawsuit filed for ‘deceptive marketing practices’ against drug companies
The Illinois Attorney General’s office has filed another lawsuit against several drug companies alleging they used deceptive marketing practices to sell opioids.… MORE
UPDATE: Superintendent responds after Blue Ridge teachers prepare for possible strike
Blue Ridge Superintendent Susan Wilson said Monday the district hopes to reach a contract agreement that’s fair for both employees and the financial health of the district.… MORE
ISP: 11 people injured after crash in Tazewell County
Illinois State Police said a crash Monday morning on Interstate 155 in Tazewell County left 11 people injured.… MORE
Illinois’ small businesses have less than four months to adhere to new rules and protections for their workers
Illinois’ small businesses have less than four months before they must adhere to an entirely new and enhanced set of rules and protections for their workers.… MORE
Some state lawmakers want to phase out the use of ethylene oxide
Some state lawmakers want to phase out the use of ethylene oxide from most places where it is used now. They announced at a Chicago news conference a new bill which they want passed in the upcoming fall veto session.… MORE
Sustainable farming catching on in Illinois
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – “Sustainable farming” is catching on in Illinois. The Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District has developed a scoring system to help farmers evaluate how conservation-minded their practices are. The program, now used in 43 (and counting) Illinois counties, is S.T.A.R. – Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources. “The farmer can complete a…… 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…