Republican State Representative Dan Brady of Bloomington is not ready to endorse GOP Governor Bruce Rauner for reelection after Rauner signed into law an expansion of taxpayer-funded abortions.… MORE
Blue Shield Blue Cross drops OSF
Bloomington’s OSF St. Joseph Medical Center is one of many OSF hospitals in Illinois that will not be part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO network next year, with UnityPoint Health Methodist to replace it as part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO network.… MORE
Spack takes 1st loss in stride at SIU awaits
Coach Brock Spack knows the Illinois State football program has reached a certain lofty status when he sees how fans react after a loss.… MORE
U-High hosts ‘run, hide, fight’ training session
Mass shootings throughout the country leave emergency mentors constantly updating their tactics to protect students and staff from harms way.… MORE
Normal releases hydrant flushing schedule
Normal is planning its annual hydrant flushing next week.… MORE
Uptown lighting installation to continue
The installation of Uptown lighting will be continued on Tuesday.
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Bloomington mayor laments ugly political environment
Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner is accusing his detractors of engaging in “physical accosting” and “physical intimidation” of elected officials, and he says he doesn’t know what can be done to soften the tone of an caustic political environment.… MORE
Bloomington aldermen set to adopt rules after Japan credit card uproar
It appears the Bloomington City Council is ready to adopt an ordinance forbidding the city’s elected leaders to carry government credit cards, and establishing guidelines how taxpayer dollars are reimbursed to them for conducting official business.… MORE
Council cautious on BCPA-VenuWorks pact
Bloomington aldermen were less than enthusiastic Monday night about a proposal to hire the company now managing the downtown sports arena to also run the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.… MORE
BFD: Shutting bedroom doors can save lives in house fires
Firefighters are changing the way they enter a house that’s on fire.… MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
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.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
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…
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
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…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
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…