By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Even with kids back in school, travel was steady last month at Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington. CIRA deputy director of marketing Fran Strebing says passenger traffic last month was at 88% of what it was in 2019. She spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. “It’s a little bit of…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Many school districts are looking for more bus drivers, and that includes Unit 5. Superintendent Dr. Kristen Weikle says the district’s vendor First Student has been hiring since the summer and is offering more incentives to attract new drivers. Weikle spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller. “They’ve increased their hiring bonuses…… MORE
The Town of Normal is launching a survey to get feedback from residents in order to help prioritize investment areas to address related to the impact of COVID-19 and recovery.… MORE
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – The Sugar Creek Arts Festival is this Saturday and Sunday in Uptown Normal and the event requires several street closures. “No Parking” signs will be posted at 2 a.m. on Fri, Oct. 8 on Constitution Boulevard and at noon on the following streets and parking lots. They will all close…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Another McLean County resident has died from COVID-19 complications, bringing the number of lives lost to 263 since the start of the pandemic. The McLean County Health Department says it was a man in his 80s not associated with a long-term care facility. Local health officials Wednesday reported 56 new…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police are investigating a shots fired incident from the over the weekend on the city’s east side. Authorities were called Saturday around 11:15 p.m. to the area of Willedrob Road. When officers arrived, they located evidence that a shooting had occurred. Officers also learned that gunfire had struck an…… MORE
Scott Miller had the opportunity to test drive the new R1T truck from Rivian.… MORE
A high bond has been set for a Bloomington man accused of stealing a car and resisting arrest.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker Friday again signed a redistricting bill, and Republicans again said he’s a promise-breaker. That’s because lawmakers, rather than, for example, an independent commission, are the mapmakers. State Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield), minority spokesman on the House Redistricting Committee, says one result is that many Republicans in the…… MORE
It’s time – past time, really – to get back to work. … 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…