Redbird softball splits doubleheader with Drake

Regan Romshek earned a four-hit shutout victory in game one, but the Illinois State softball team fell in the nightcap Friday night against Drake at Marian Kneer Stadium. The Redbirds won game one, 1-0, but lost game two, 7-4. Illinois State (17-30, 9-12 MVC) and Drake will finish the series Saturday at noon.MORE

Chiefs fall to Captains

The Peoria Chiefs rallied to tie the game in the eighth inning but ultimately fell to the Lake County Captains 3-2 on Friday night. The loss drops the Chiefs to 9-12 on the season and 1-3 on the roadtrip.MORE

Obituary: Laesch

Steven D. Laesch, 65, of Normal, passed away at 4:28 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.MORE

Obituary: Cox

Caroline S. Cox, age 104, passed away on February 4 at 10:45 pm at Heartland Healthcare in Normal.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…