For the first time in nearly a decade, State Farm in Bloomington selected the Fortune 500’s next Chief Executive Officer.… MORE
Category Archives: Local News
Illinois Community Colleges reporting enrollment up for spring semester
By WMBD-TV SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) reported on Wednesday that spring enrollment is up 5.1% in 2024 compared to 2023. According to an ICCB news release, 262,638 students enrolled in public community colleges in Illinois for the 2024 spring semester. This is up from 249,836 students who enrolled in the spring…… MORE
Shootings down, arsons and extortions are up in Bloomington, statistics show
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – A release of 2023 crime statistics by the Bloomington Police Department shows fewer homicides and fewer people shot but increases in other categories. Shootings dropped from 42 in 2022 to 30 in 2023, a decrease of 12. The number of people who were shot, predictably, dropped as well. There were 15…… MORE
House of Reps. vote to ban TikTok; local Congressman and Superintendent react
House of Representatives passed a bill early Wednesday morning that could ban the social media application TikTok. … MORE
At least one person dead after deadly collision on I-74 in Woodford County
By WMBD-TV CARLOCK – At least one person is dead after a two-vehicle deadly collision on Interstate 74 near Carlock. That’s the word from the Illinois State Police which said the collision occurred in the westbound lanes of I-74 near mile marker 117.5. That’s in Woodford County and near Carlock. According to the preliminary investigation,…… MORE
Bloomington Police bring attention to significant arrests
The Bloomington Police Department announced some notable arrests that happened over the past week via a Facebook post.… MORE
Illinois State Police: One dead in collision on I-155 near Tremont
One person is dead after a traffic crash Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 155 near Tremont, according to the Illinois State Police.… MORE
NPD beefing up patrols for St. Patrick’s Day events
St. Patrick’s Day is known for luck, green beer, and heritage celebrations, but it’s also known as one of the busiest drinking days of the year.… MORE
Firefighters battle semi-fire blaze on I-55
Firefighters in Lexington battled a semi-fire early Monday morning for over seven hours.… MORE
NPD name 2023 Officer of the Year
Normal Police Department awarded one of their Detectives as the Officer of the Year.… 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…