U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood said cybersecurity is a major problem and the Internal Revenue Service has been asleep at the switch.… MORE
Category Archives: Scott Laughlin
Bloomington approves $4.6 million for street resurfacing, repairs
The city of Bloomington will be getting to work soon on fixing its aging streets.… MORE
Local schools, governments brace for financial hit due to state overpayments
School officials hoping their next check from the state comes in the mail soon surely don’t want to see a bill instead, but they could soon.… MORE
Bloomington-Normal to host 70 seminars in Money Smart Week
People needing guidance on how to manage their money won’t have to spend any to get some financial tips during Money Smart Week.… MORE
Rep. Brady backs emergency bill to fund higher education through summer
There’s a new effort to provide stop-gap funding to colleges and universities in Illinois.… MORE
Bloomington Salvation Army to open emergency assistance office
The local Bloomington’s Salvation Army will soon have a bigger space for its food pantry.… MORE
Durbin: Split vote on immigration would lead to ‘chaos’
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said the Supreme Court might rule on a Texas case which challenges President Obama’s executive actions on immigration.… MORE
Bar owners: Bloomington hasn’t justified liquor license fee hike
Opposition is brewing for Bloomington’s proposed increase in liquor license fees.… MORE
Republican strategist: GOP is a ‘train wreck’
A recent poll shows a majority of Republican voters say the candidate with the most delegates should get the party’s nomination for president.… MORE
Bloomington alderman: Gambling revenue higher than anyone expected
Gamblers in Bloomington spent $180 million on video gaming last year – bringing in more than 700-thousand dollars in tax revenue for the city. That’s one reason why the city is looking claim a greater share.… 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…