Many local schools are hoping to make today’s total solar eclipse a teachable moment.… MORE
Category Archives: Scott Laughlin
Rep. Davis: Trump derailed his own infrastructure efforts
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, has several reasons why he’s upset with President Donald Trump’s recent remarks which blamed all sides for the violence that rang out in Charlottesville, Va. last week.… MORE
CIRA gets $1.1 million federal grant
Central Illinois Regional Airport will soon be doing some rehab work on its primary taxiways.… MORE
Trump comments show local GOP divide
President Trump’s recent comments spreading the blame for the recent violence in Charlottesville, Va. has shown a divide among local Republicans.… MORE
Renner: Aldermen need to ‘step up’ if they won’t hire aide
Bloomington mayor Tari Renner said if the city council doesn’t want the city to pay for a full-time mayor’s aide, aldermen should be willing to take on additional tasks.… MORE
McLean County GOP chairman backs Trump comments on violence
McLean County Republican Party Chairman Chuck Erickson went to social media to defend President Donald Trump’s comments blaming both white supremacists and counter protesters for violence in Charlottesville, Virg. last weekend.… MORE
Peterson recalls Uptown renewal as biggest struggle in tenure as city manager
The town of Normal looks much different now than it did when Mark Peterson started as city manager in 1998.… MORE
Glen Campbell’s death sheds spotlight on Alzheimer’s
The death of legendary singer and songwriter Glen Campbell is putting the spotlight on Alzheimer’s disease.… MORE
Sen. Brady: Dems lack support to override education bill veto
While Illinois schools are likely to get IOUs instead of state budget payments this week, the state legislative leaders are still bargaining over a possible school funding compromise after Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1.… MORE
St. Jude telethon, run embarks on 40th year
It’s been 40 years since the first runners raised money for the St. Jude by embarking on a near-500 mile trek from the Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis to Peoria as part of an annual telethon.… 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…