By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Central Catholic High School has announced the hiring of Nate Thomas as its next athletic director. Thomas begins his duties in July, succeeding Hud Venerable, who retires on June 30 after five years with the Saints. “Nate brings with him experience at the collegiate level and is committed to Central…… MORE
On the heels of a $5 million donation, Illinois State University is on pace to crack over $30 million raised in the past fiscal year.… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – State Farm Insurance is ending its partnership with an organization promoting education about transgender youth, saying the topic should not be required learning in schools. The Bloomington-based company acknowledges its support for the “philanthropic” program GenderCool, has been the subject of news and customer inquiries. Backlash against State Farm included an…… MORE
Illinois’ Senior Senator is pointing the finger at energy companies for the high gas prices.… MORE
It will be at least two months before the Illinois Innocence Project learns what evidence they can present in the case of Barton McNeil, the Bloomington man convicted of killing his daughter in 1998. This is because both the state and McNeil’s counsel agree a 3rd stage evidentiary hearing is necessary.… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council is backing Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe’s pick to fill a council vacancy even though an alderman complained the selection is part of the mayor’s plan to move the council to the right. Monday night, the council voted 6-2 to approve Grant Walch to replace Jamie Mathy as…… MORE
By A.J. Harris HUDSON – Green Gables Bar and Grill, the popular bar and restaurant is on fire. Reports of the fire started coming in around 3:30 Monday. Initial reports indicated the fire was under control, but as more information was available it appears the blaze spread. Eye witnesses who were out at the scene…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The morning after the news about the possible reversal of Roe v. Wade broke, Gov. JB Pritzker gathered two or three dozen Democratic lawmakers for a news conference in Chicago – ready for a fight. The group, including State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (far right) (D-Chicago), issued a warning: “It’s not…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Normal native Leah Marlene is one step closer to the top spot on singing competition ‘American Idol.’ Marlene advanced to the Top 7 Sunday night, singing ‘When She Loved Me’ from Toy Story 2 as part of ‘Disney Night.’ “THANK YOU with my entire heart, soul and being for all…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Here’s an old joke: it’s pork if it’s in somebody else’s district. But seriously, folks, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) says earmarks are good and always have been. Example: the announcement Monday of a $10.2 million project to consolidate seven buildings – up to seventy years old – into one…… 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…