District 87 students who are under stress could get some fur therapy at school.… MORE
Category Archives: Scott Laughlin
LaHood: Federal government shutdown unlikely
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood said he believes Congress will avoid a government shutdown this week, with a deadline looming for some spending plan to be approved by midnight Friday.… MORE
Illinois proposal aims to address teacher shortage
Unit 5 superintendent Mark Daniel said the teacher shortage that has plagued much of the state and nation hasn’t been as much of a problem for his district.… MORE
Bloomington restaurant displays Cubs World Series mural
A local artist is giving Cubs fans their own brush with history.… MORE
Unit 5 superintendent urges teachers, staff to contact lawmakers
Teachers and staff in Unit 5 are getting a homework assignment from their superintendent.… MORE
New book another way Collins family pays it forward
The father of a man who was killed by a drunk driver has published a book that he hopes will be an inspiration to others.… MORE
Davis wants feds to look into United Airlines after passenger removal went viral
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, said he was angered by the video of a United Airlines passenger being forcibly dragged off a plane at O’Hare International Airport this week and he wants answers.… MORE
Illinois Treasurer to visit IWU to detail ABLE program
Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs will visit Illinois Wesleyan tonight to share more details about a new state program that offers a way to invest tax free to cover disability related expenses.… MORE
Fantasy sports proposal to get hearing in Illinois
There’s at least one industry that is begging to be regulated and taxed – fantasy sports.… MORE
Retailers shift focus as more fall victim to online sales
Gordman’s, Payless Shoes and GameStop are the latest national retailers to announce store closings, but the National Retail Federation said brick-and-mortar stores are still alive and well.… 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…