By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A survey of Illinois schools finds that 88 percent of the districts responding have trouble filling vacancies in the classroom. And when we talk about a teacher shortage, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Education associate dean Nancy Latham wants to re-frame the discussion. “We do not have a shortage…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.6 days suitable for field work during the week ending September 25, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 68.3 degrees, 6.4 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.88 inches, 0.05 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent very short, 10 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 15…… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – State Farm has deployed its mobile catastrophe response vehicles in anticipation for the first hurricane to make U.S. landfall this year. Landfall for Hurricane Ian is anticipated mid-late this week on the Gulf Coast of Florida, according to a news release from the Bloomington-based insurance company. The exact track of…… MORE
District 87 is joining a nationwide campaign to make parents more aware of gun safety inside their homes.… MORE
As fields begin to dry out, farmers across central Illinois are starting up their combines for the fall harvest season.… MORE
BLOOMINGTON – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have risen for the first time in 14 weeks, up 2.1 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.92 a gallon. “One of the longest gas price declines on record has finally come to an end after 14 weeks, with gas prices shooting up in several regions…… MORE
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington City Council members will vote Monday night on a 3.5% pay increase for City Manager Tim Gleason that would boost his annual salary to almost $210,000. Gleason has been running the city government since 2018, and his performance reviews earned the highest ranking, exceeding expectations, according to a council…… MORE
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – A recent Illinois Wesleyan University graduate is the second candidate to announce plans to run next year for the Bloomington City Council. Jordan Baker wants to represent Ward 6, which covers much of the downtown area and parts of Bloomington’s west side. Baker announced his plans last week on his Facebook…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – As rain fell from above and lightning lit up the sky, tough playing conditions and delays played the main factor in Normal Communities win over the Bloomington Purple Raiders, 35-7. The game was called with 5:19 left to go in the fourth quarter, as lightning filled the sky for the…… MORE
Innovation is growing within public transportation for people who are regulars to bus riding locally.… 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…