By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL – It was a victory for the Bloomington-Normal community last Sunday as Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan took to the court for a basketball doubleheader at CEFCU Arena. “It was awesome! To see that many people show up for an exhibition game was incredible.” said ISU Interim Athletic Director Dr. Jeri…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Illinois State men’s basketball head coach Ryan Pedon is adding to his coaching staff. Jason Slay comes to ISU after spending two seasons at the University of South Florida where he was an assistant coach with the Bulls. “Jason came very highly recommended to me early on in our search,”…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Illinois State Athletics Director Kyle Brennan has resigned from the University effective on April 30, announced by Interim President Aondover Tarhule on Thursday morning. Brennan was named to the position in December of 2020. A decision regarding who will serve as acting athletics director is forthcoming. A national search will…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – The president of Illinois State University, Dr. Terri Goss Kinzy, has resigned from her position. The university says the resignation was effective February 14. The Board of Trustees will meet on Friday to vote to accept Kinzy’s resignation. The meeting is scheduled for 2:00. Kinzy was selected as the 20th…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – An Illinois State student reported missing on Thursday was found dead late Friday night in Normal. According to a news release, Normal Police Officers located a body near a creek area in the 900 block of North Main Street in Normal at approximately 10 pm Police say 21-year old Matthew…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena will soon be getting a new name. ISU’s governing board will vote Friday on a naming rights and sponsorship agreement to rename Redbird Arena to “CEFCU Arena.” CEFCU will pay ISU athletics approximately $3.1 million over ten years for the naming rights for Redbird Arena,…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Illinois State have dropped their non-conference schedules for the upcoming season. Following an NCAA tournament appearance, head coach Kristen Gillespie unveiled the women’s schedule for the reigning Missouri Valley Conference Champions, knowing that tougher competition better prepares her players. “We’re facing some…… MORE
By 25 News NORMAL – Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced he’s naming an Illinois State University graduate to fill one of the vacant positions on the school’s governing board. The Illinois Senate has yet to confirm Anthony Byrd’s appointment to ISU’s Board of Trustees. Byrd is an adjunct criminal justice instructor for Lindenwood University…… MORE
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – Illinois State University on Tuesday announced a contract extension for Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan. According to a news release, the extension runs until June 30, 2027, and includes a yearly salary of $242,892 as well as the eligibility of a bonus for academic and athletic success, not to exceed…… MORE
An anonymous donor is gifting $5 million to Illinois State University to set the stage for the next generation of teachers.… 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…