By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – McLean County health officials are reporting 24 new cases of coronavirus since last week, including two additional deaths. MCHD says a woman in her 60s and a woman in her 90s died from COVID complications, bringing the number of lives lost to 233. Here’s a breakdown of the new…… MORE
By WJBC Staff SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Wednesday declaring June 19, Juneteenth, an official state holiday. To commemorate the abolition of slavery throughout the United States and its territories in 1865, Juneteenth will be recognized as National Freedom Day in Illinois. “Just as Illinois led the nation as the first state to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment,…… MORE
A Central Illinois lawmaker, who is mulling a decision to run for Governor, says Illinois’ new state budget was ‘fatally flawed.”… MORE
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – Fresh from celebrating its 130th Birthday this past weekend, the Miller Park Zoo has rebranded its logo, mission statement and values. Zoo director Jay Tetzloff presented and explained the new logo during a press conference Wednesday. “It features our current signature exhibits, the flamingos, our snow leopard and cats…… MORE
This Friday, Central Illinois Friends is opening up its second location in the town of Normal.… MORE
One person is injured after a shooting in Normal.… MORE
The American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage as the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries rise – and deplete the nation’s blood inventory.… MORE
Following a 2020 pandemic postponement, Make Music Normal is returning this fall.… MORE
President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting is set to be the event of the week on Wednesday.… MORE
Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin is calling for an investigation in Congress and the Department of Justice Inspector General to produce materials relating to a decision in the Trump-era DOJ.… 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…