By Blake Haas BLOOMINGTON — Each year, 64 teams from across Illinois gather in the twin cities for the State Farm Holiday Classic. After defeating Kankakee Bishop Mac, Bloomington Central Catholic reached the Championship game in the small school girls’ division. Central Catholic will compete against Central Southeastern for the Small School Girls division at…… MORE
There’s a new sheriff in Springfield, and she’s talking to the Sonya Massey Commission.… MORE
Illinois’ assault weapons ban will remain in place, at least until a federal appeals court hears full arguments challenging a lower court ruling that found the law unconstitutional.… MORE
Mt. Zion advances to the Class 4A state title game next week at Hancock Stadium as they’ll face Chicago DePaul Prep.… MORE
It was a touchdown frenzy Friday night at Dick Tharp Field and Normal Community (10-1) was able to advance in the IHSA playoffs with a 52-49 win over the Prospect Knights (8-3).… MORE
Bloomington’s newest hockey team is hitting the ice on Friday, November 8, with jerseys to honor local veterans.… MORE
By Jake Fogal DOWNS – Tri-Valley and Central Catholic are separated by nine miles in Central Illinois, but don’t meet very often despite the short distance between the two schools. Last time these two teams met came back in 2016, when Tri-Valley beat the Saints 28-6. The two Class 2A schools met again in Round…… MORE
The regular season is over, it’s time for postseason football.… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – The top two teams of the Big 12 Conference squared off in the final week of the 2024 regular season Friday night. Normal Community hosted Peoria at Dick Tharp Field in Week 9, and with both programs already securing postseason spots, focus was pointed towards a conference title. The Lions…… MORE
Illinois State Athletics on Wednesday announced a multi-year sponsorship with State Farm to include on-field logos at Hancock Stadium.… 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…