Unit 5 Meeting Draws Heated Public Comment on Free Speech and Conduct

Image courtesy of the Town of Normal NORMAL, Ill. - Unit 5 School Board met on Wednesday, and although neither topic was not on the official agenda, public comment dominated the meeting, with 15 speakers addressing two separate controversies that have recently stirred debate in the community. Most speakers focused on a Normal Community High School civics teacher and girls soccer coach, Matt Chapman, who has drawn attention after wearing […]

October 23, 2025

Local News

Normal Town Council approves four new public sculptures

NORMAL, Ill. - The Normal Town Council met Monday evening for a brief but impactful session, unanimously approving a $69,750 contract to purchase and install four permanent sculptures at the upcoming One Normal Plaza Sculpture Park. The resolution authorizes the acquisition of works from four Illinois-based artists, marking a significant step in the town’s ongoing commitment to public art and cultural development. Cultural Arts Director Beth Whisman and McLean County […]

October 22, 2025

Local News

A new movie theatre joins the array in Bloomington-Normal

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - A new movie theater in Bloomington-Normal offers premium experiences at affordable prices. Golden Ticket Cinemas took over the old ‘New Vision Theatre’ on the east side of Bloomington. The theatre opened on Friday, and Director of Media Relations Joe Horton said that this is the first location in Illinois, and this brings the chain to a total of 22 theatres across the country. “We try to make […]

October 22, 2025

Local News

CYFS brings community together with annual Trunk or Treat celebration

Image courtesy of the Center for Youth and Family Solutions BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Families filled the Center for Youth and Family Solutions for the annual Trunk or Treat event, celebrating Halloween with games, treats and community fun on October 10. Foster Parent Recruitment and Retention Specialist Alix Zimmermann shared why the Trunk or Treat event is more than just a Halloween celebration and why it is important to the community. […]

October 21, 2025

ISU News

Students take center stage in ISU’s “Into the Woods” production

Image courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State University students are bringing Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical Into the Woods to life on stage, presented by the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts’ School of Theatre, Dance and Film. The show is heavily made up of students, including 19 actors in the cast, 19 instrumentalists in the orchestra and countless others in the backstage crew, with some professional […]

October 21, 2025

Local News

OSF lecture explores how medical simulations foster humanity in health care

Image courtesy of OSF Healthcare PEORIA, Ill. - Dr. Edward Barksdale Jr. explored how medical simulations can help address social issues during the OSF Pearl Lecture Series at the Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center on Thursday. Medical simulations include actors who are trained to perform as patients, mimicking real-life scenarios to allow healthcare workers to learn more about the humanity of patients. “It’s essentially a safe environment for technical […]

October 17, 2025

Local News

Bloomington-Normal crime report 10/13-17

NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State University Police Department responded to a reported theft at Watterson Towers at 9 a.m. on Monday. Another theft was reported later that day at Hewett Hall around 10 p.m. Normal Police responded Monday to a stalking report near the 1500 block of Hunt Drive and also reported a criminal sexual assault that day. On Tuesday, the Illinois State University Police Department responded to a […]

October 17, 2025

ISU News

Health experts urge students to stay vaccinated as flu season nears

Image courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. - As flu season nears, health experts are urging students to stay up to date on vaccines amid new CDC guidelines. Illinois State University’s Associate Director of Student Health Services, Bobbie Stevens, and Director of Clinical Operations, Dr. Jill Wirth-Rissman, shared insight into state-mandated vaccine policies, student flu shot rates and the efforts to inform students about vaccination opportunities. “If we look […]

October 17, 2025

ISU News

Uptown Normal kicks off celebration with annual tree lighting ceremony

NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State University kicked off Homecoming week Monday night with its annual tree lighting ceremony in Uptown Normal. The event closed streets in Uptown for the evening as current and former students participated in games, picked up free T-shirts and listened to music from WZND. One of the students in attendance was freshman Tessa Delao. “I feel like it brings us all together. There’s a lot of […]

October 15, 2025

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Local News