By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Miller Park Zoo announced an exciting addition to its Zoo Family Friday. According to a zoo press release, The Cotton-top Tamarins, Paquito and Quilla, have given birth in the rainforest habitat. The zoo stated that the first-time parents are taking good care of their infant, and zoo staff are closely monitoring…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – (UPDATE)The Bloomington Police Department has confirmed that an officer-involved shooting took place Thursday, March 30, while responding to a call for shots fired. When officers arrived on the scene, they made contact with the armed suspect. Officers then fired— striking the subject. No officers were injured during the incident. The suspect…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The seventh annual St. Jude Game Feed comes to Hudson this Saturday to help raise money for a good cause. The event features an all you can eat $25 dollar Annie’s Eats meal+beverage at the Sit N Bull, also an auction and a 50/50 drawing and raffle. The founder of…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – When we live on the moon, it could be in a structure made in Rockford. And that’s cool. Ingersoll Machine Products’ Rosenberg moon habitat has won the 2023 Makers’ Madness contest, put on by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “Illinois’ world-class manufacturing industry is leading the charge as one of the…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Two days after Audrey Hale killed six people in a Nashville Christian school, the Illinois State Rifle Association put on its annual Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day, featuring a program at the BOS Center, a march down Capitol Avenue, and a rally in front of the statehouse. The group’s leader…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Bragging rights are on the line as the “Challenge on 74 Blood Battle” pits Illinois State and Bradley University in a contest to see who can donate the most blood. The annual blood drive between the two rival schools is hosted at Hewitt and Manchester residence halls at ISU on…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Backers of a bill to hold the out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $35 for a month’s supply brought out a retiree to make their case. “I (have been) insulin-dependent for well over twenty years, and this is needed legislation for a lot of people,” said Judy Johnson of Springfield. “I…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington announced plans for three prescribed burnings Tuesday. According to a press release, the Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department has prescribed burns scheduled for Tipton Park, Miller Dam and The Grove Park. Weather permitting, the burns will be held: Prescribed burns are an important tool of Bloomington’s Parks…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – We’ve been hearing about the teacher shortage for years, and Alan Mather – a 33-year veteran of Chicago Public Schools – is trying to do something about it. The Golden Apple Foundation, of which he is president, is trying to elevate the profession. “Our ‘accelerators’ program, which is primarily for…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – You probably can’t write the history of Illinois without including Native Americans, but a bill which has passed the state House wants to make sure. “This bill highlights the true DNA of our state,” said sponsoring State Rep. Maurice West II (D-Rockford). “The word Illinois is derived from the Native…… 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…