The Illinois Supreme Court last week vacated a lower court ruling and reinstated a statute that authorizes the state to revoke a person’s Firearm Owners Identification card once they’ve been charged with a felony, even if they haven’t yet been convicted.… MORE
Illinois State University is partnering with DESTIHL Brewery to launch two new officially licensed beers, the Redbird Ale and Battle Bird Lager.… MORE
In a 6-1 vote, the Bloomington City Council approved a measure that would implement a towing service targeting people with repeat parking violations in the downtown area.… MORE
The Bloomington City Council Monday night approved a resolution to extend parking times downtown from 90 minutes to two hours.… MORE
While Illinois’ cannabis market is booming and the state has made progress in diversifying new licensees, significant hurdles remain for businesses hoping to enter the expanding market, according to an independent review of the industry.… MORE
People interested in food safety are optimistic the federal Food and Drug Administration will finally get a handle on what goes into our food.… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – The 15th annual Festival of Joy transformed the downtown Bloomington area into a mini India. Many wore colorful Indian clothes, got henna tattoos, and face dot face paintings. The Indian cuisine featured plant-based foods. A parade with many people walked down the street singing Hare Krishna. You could also dance, do yoga, or…… MORE
By WMBD-TV BLOOMINGTON – Community members packed inside the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington for “Hear Our Voices – A Rally For Democracy.” The Bloomington-Normal chapter of the NAACP hosted the event to encourage Black people to vote. Guests heard from speakers like Brian Peterson with Omega Psi Phi, and other leaders in the…… MORE
By WMBD-TV NORMAL – The clock is ticking for a national bus company to get a deal done that impacts bus drivers and bus monitors in Unit 5. At the latest school board meeting, Steven Dean, vice-president for the union representing the bus drivers and bus monitors, gave an update on their contract negotiations with First…… MORE
The Illinois Department of Child and Family Services has selected Illinois State University as one of four regional training hubs when the university’s Child Protection Training Academy opens in early November.… 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…