Bloomington Fire Capt. Frank Friend wants the department to increase its offerings of social services after emergencies, while continuing fire prevention efforts in the community.

Town of Normal staff are signaling a potential need for significant rate increases in several programs including water and sewer, recycling, landscape waste and trash pickups. City Manager Pam Reece said a need for new sewage lift stations and cost recovery for hauling will require a council policy discussion.

Illinois farmers feel the impacts of tariffs, inflation and more competition. The federal government introduced bridge payments, but these payments are not enough to offset the cost of farming.

Firefighters noted severe hoarding conditions and the absence of smoke alarms inside, according to Bloomington Fire Captain Frank Friend.

Starting in May, the Central Illinois Regional Airport will restore daily flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport through United Airlines.

WGLT is saying farewell to longtime program director Jon Norton. Norton is retiring at the end of the month after nearly 23 years with Bloomington-Normal’s Public Media. Norton said he’d like to be remembered as someone who works hard and is a nice person.

The Sun-Times, WBEZ and the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics and International House hosted the first live-broadcast debate of the biggest race on the March 17 ballot.

In 2025, the actions of President Donald Trump’s second term saw significant cuts of various funding sources for McLean County programs. A new community advocacy group wants to document the totality of these cuts in their initiative known as The Documentation Project.

Bloomington residents and businesses can no longer possess or sell the herbal substance kratom and synthetic alternatives, following action taken by the city council.

A grant of almost $2 million will help the Center for Prevention of Abuse enhance its services for victims of human trafficking.

The session, titled Hidden Risks: Drug endangered children and family human trafficking training, is co-sponsored by Allies Against Trafficking and the Logan/Mason County and McLean County Recovery Oriented Systems of Care, also known as ROSC. It will take place Jan. 27 at the ISU Alumni Center.

Rivian's first R2s — test models called manufacturing validation build vehicles — drove off the line earlier this month, with the first customer deliveries expected by June. That comes after a huge expansion that added 2.6 million square feet of new space at the plant in Normal.