By Neil Doyle NORMAL – An apartment at the Lincoln Square apartment complex was heavily damaged by fire Sunday night. Fire crews were called around 9:15 p.m. to the 1700 block of North School Street. Neighbors reported visible fire and smoke and that occupants were evacuating from the building. Firefighters had the main body of…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Most musicians can only dream of having their big break. Now, an ‘American Idol’ contestant from central Illinois is on the verge of getting hers. Leah Marlene was born in Toronto, moving to Normal with her family when she was three. From an early age, music was always a big…… MORE
By HOI ABC BLOOMINGTON – A beloved public servant to the Twin Cities, and former State Farm executive vice president, passed away Saturday. Willie Brown died at the age of 74, according to Kibler Brady Ruestman Memorial Home. Brown started working for State Farm in 1971 and, after a series of promotions over several decades,…… MORE
By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-Rivian Automotive has retracted the pricing increase that was announced by the company earlier this week for pre-ordered EVs. CEO R.J. Scaringe issued a company wide apology to it’s customers Thursday. “As we worked to update pricing to reflect these cost increases, we wrongly decided to make these changes apply to all…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – Spending cuts that could lead to a reduction in teaching positions and programs in McLean County’s largest school district is the result of inadequate state funding and insufficient local revenue, according to the union representing Unit 5 teachers. The school board is scheduled to vote next week on about $2.2…… MORE
Bloomington-based State Farm Insurance is suing Tesla in federal court, alleging a faulty electrical system sparked a car fire that severely damaged a Carmel, Indiana home.… MORE
Right about now, Ray Long probably wishes he could add another chapter to his book.… MORE
Law enforcement agencies in McLean County thank the community for their help as county prosecutors close a book on a historic violent 2018.… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – Now that former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has been indicted, questions continue about a special investigative committee convened in 2020. The committee, chaired by then-State Rep. and now Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside), dissolved without making any findings and without even hearing from Madigan. In DeKalb Thursday, a reporter asked…… MORE
By Neil Doyle and HOI ABC PEORIA – Pope Francis has accepted the retirement of Bishop Daniel Jenky and Bishop Louis Tylka has been named the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Peoria. Jenky is retiring after 20 years and turned 75 Thursday – that’s the age when a bishop must submit a letter offering…… 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…