By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – “Manufacturing Matters” is the name of a tour the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is on to promote a new study which shows things are better than many people believe. IMA’s president and CEO, Mark Denzler, said, “Education workforce is probably the Number One challenge that manufacturers face. Before the covid pandemic,…… MORE
By 25 News and WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – The 91st Annual McLean County Fair got underway Wednesday. Last year was their first time back to normal after COVID and it was a record-breaking year. This year, they’re hoping to break that record and they have plenty to offer. There are carnival rides, horseback riding, tractor…… MORE
Amid eight inches of rainfall in eastern Kentucky, the Midwest Food Bank in Normal is sending truckloads of supplies to support victims of flooding.… MORE
By 25 News KAPPA – A former exotic dancer at a Woodford County strip club is suing the business for back pay, claiming she was incorrectly labeled as a contractor. Brandi Campbell of Champaign and her lawyers filed suit last month in federal court disputing the way Kappa Kabanna in Kappa paid wages. Campbell claims…… MORE
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Former McLean County piano teacher Aaron Parlier was sentenced Monday to the maximum possible – life in prison – following his second trial for predatory criminal sexual assault of a former student. The 41-year old man is already serving 450 years for the sexual assault of another former student. During…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.4 days suitable for field work during the week ending July 31, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 72.2 degrees, 2.5 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 1.43 inches, 0.59 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 3 percent very short, 23 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and 13…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – Illinois gas prices fell nearly 21 cents over the past week, averaging $4.61 a gallon. According to GasBuddy’s daily survey of over 43-hundred stations in Illinois, prices in the state are 76 cents lower than a month ago. “We continue to see average gas prices falling in every sate, with…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL (Heart of Illinois ABC) – The Normal Police Department is investigating a stabbing Friday night that left one person injured. According to Sgt. Brad Underwood, officers responded to the 1000 block of Charlotte Dr., down the road from Fairview Park around 5 pm. Police found a 27-year-old man with a stab…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Rivian says 50 people with non-manufacturing positions and who worked at the Normal manufacturing facility were laid off. In a statement, the company says the Normal facility employs around 6,000 people. This comes after the company said six percent of the workforce would be laid off. Rivian statement: This week, Rivian realigned…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL (Heart of Illinois ABC) – The town of Normal shared ideas for the new Uptown south located at the center of town during a Town Meeting. The town revealed the results of a survey that over 800 community members completed. Many wanted the 8-acres to be a walkable, bike-able green space that…… 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…