By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – The world’s grain buyers have descended upon Illinois. Accompanying forty guests from seven nations on a two-day tour of all things corn and soybeans in the state, Illinois Department of Agriculture director Jerry Costello answers the question, how does one measure the success of the tour? “The traditional way would…… MORE
By 25 News NORMAL – The issue of districts for the Normal Town council will remain off the ballot following the most recent ruling from a McLean County judge. Following multiple hours of arguments before Judge Scott Kording Monday, he released his decision virtually Tuesday. The question at the heart of the case is an issue of…… MORE
By WJBC Staff and 25 News NORMAL – Illinois State University President Dr. Terri Goss Kinzy outlined the future steps for the university during the school’s annual State of the University speech. One of those new plans is to hire a Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer to be the center point of collaboration and creative…… MORE
Illinois’ elimination of cash bail at the first of the year is stirring up political debate across the state.… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – This year’s Illinois State Fair set some new records. Nearly 637,000 people visited the State Fair Springfield last month, an all time record says spokesperson Krista Lisser. She says the gorgeous weather was a big factor. “We also had great family entertainment,” said Lisser. “While it all depends on the…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 6.1 days suitable for field work during the week ending September 18, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 68.2 degrees, 1.6 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.50 inches, 0.35 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 10 percent very short, 14 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and 15…… MORE
By 25 News NORMAL – No criminal charges have been filed so far against a driver who struck two Illinois State University students from Plainfield, critically injuring them outside a popular bar near campus last week. Meantime, a classmate of the two victims has organized a GoFundMe page to help their families with medical bills and other…… MORE
By WJBC Staff NORMAL – Normal Police are releasing more details regarding a man who died from gunshot wounds early Sunday morning. After a preliminary autopsy report from the McLean County Coroner’s Office, it was determined the 29-year-old man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident happened around 3:40 a.m. Sunday in the 200…… MORE
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – There’s a new judge in McLean County as former state’s attorney Don Knapp became the newest judge of the Illinois Eleventh Judicial Circuit, which also includes Woodford, Logan, and Livingston Counties. Knapp took his oath in front of more than 100 family, friends and fellow judges — at the McLean…… MORE
By 25 News NORMAL – Police are investigating a deadly shooting that happened at a Twin Cities hotel. According to a release from Normal Police, officers responded to a person shot at the Candlewood Suites on Susan Drive around 3:40 a.m. Sunday. There, they found a man in the parking lot, where they rendered aid.…… 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…