Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON-As COVID-19 cases continue to climb at an unprecedented rate, Miller Park Zoo has announced the closing of the Katthoefer Animal Building to the public for the second time in three months. Many of the cats are showing COVID-19 symptoms including Rilu, a male snow leopard, is struggling with Covid induced pneumonia. Jay…… MORE
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – Some residents in Normal are reporting mail delivery issues over the last week. The United States Postal Service Chicago/Illinois District 1 says local management is aware of delivery issues in Normal and is taking steps to address the concerns. USPS Chicago/Illinois District 1 statement: The Postal Service is committed to…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – FOID and concealed carry license holders can now receive notices electronically. Instead of getting paper notices in the mail, you can sign up for email or text notifications. Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly says it’s part of ongoing efforts to modernize the process. “We continue to roll out these…… MORE
By HOI ABC NORMAL – An outdoor fitness court, costing an estimated $180,000, is a step closer to becoming reality for a neighborhood in north Normal. The Town Council Tuesday night voted 4-2 to accept a $25,000 grant to help offset the cost of a fitness court that town staffers envision at Rosa Park Commons…… MORE
The top leaders of the Illinois General Assembly – as the House and Senate convene Wednesday for the first time in 2022 – agree that the state budget is the top priority. They also agree they can safely negotiate the pandemic.… MORE
Three Heartland Community College students are the first recipients of the Lynne Mohr Scholarship for Skilled Trades Students.… MORE
Illinois House Republicans are raising concerns about the new vaccine mandate in Chicago and Cook County.… MORE
There’s a new candidate on the Republican side for Illinois secretary of state.… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – With increases in COVID-19 cases and the recent holiday season, many people are looking for testing options locally. The McLean County Health Department has listed local testing options on its website. Those can be found here. MCHD Administrator Jessica McKnight says testing is just one tool to help reduce transmission.…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A self-described farm girl who used to be spokeswoman for the Illinois State Fair is making a return – as fair manager. Rebecca Clark, who has been spokeswoman for two state agencies after a career in television news, succeeds the twice-retired Kevin Gordon. In an interview Monday, Clark mentioned more…… 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…