It was a sunny and mild spring afternoon in May 2019 when roughly 100 FBI agents were dispatched to the homes – and one office – of eight allies to then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.… MORE
Category Archives: Top Stories
How to prevent cooking fires this Thanksgiving
By WMBD-TV PEORIA – The American Red Cross is releasing information on how to avoid cooking fires this Thanksgiving. Jayce Eustice, a Communications Manager for the American Red Cross, said that the day before and the day of Thanksgiving have the highest chance of a cooking fire. Cooking fires happen in 158,000 homes every year,…… MORE
In wake of Massey shooting, Sangamon County target of DOJ Investigation
The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office is under investigation by the U. S. Department of Justice for civil rights violations, but the probe may go beyond the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey. … MORE
Former Illinois Gov. takes victory lap after-tax referendum passes
Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is ready to build on an election victory.… MORE
Remembering fallen heroes, one star ornament at time
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – More than 400 star ornaments were placed on Christmas trees during a ceremony honoring Gold Star families and their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice. Hundreds attended the 9th annual Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor ceremony at Central Illinois Regional Airport, where Gold Star Families were recognized and loved ones’…… MORE
Judge dismisses biometric data privacy lawsuit citing revised state law
A clarification to Illinois’ biometric data privacy law made by state lawmakers earlier this year limits the size of damages that can be claimed in lawsuits over Biometric Information Privacy Act violations, a federal judge ruled last week. … MORE
Woodford County urging people to lock doors after burglaries
By WMBD-TV GERMANTOWN HILLS – One car has been reported stolen after a spree of robberies and break-ins occurred on Friday night. The Woodford County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook that a group of people had been seen walking around Germantown Hills in the Far Hills and Maple Lane areas, looking to see if houses…… MORE
Bloomington fire Tuesday evening causes ‘considerable smoke and heat damage’
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Additional units were needed to battle a house fire in Bloomington on Tuesday, the department said. When members of the Bloomington Fire Department arrived just after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the house, located near the intersection of the 200 block of Magnolia and Meadowbrook Drives, the saw heavy smoke and flames.…… MORE
Bloomington police warn of new scam
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Police Department on Tuesday warned of a new scam that residents have recently seen. According to a Bloomington police Facebook post, scammers email you your name, phone number and address, then claim to have explicit photos of their victim that they say they will delete if they are given a…… MORE
Amid flurry of gun ban challenges, federal appeals court considers Cook County assault weapon law
A panel of federal judges is weighing whether to overturn a Cook County ban on semiautomatic weapons in a case that could upend other local bans and call into question the statewide prohibition on the controversial class of firearms. … 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…