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Articles by Giavana Escobedo
Central Illinois Regional Airport announces new seasonal routes
Image courtesy of the Central Illinois Regional Airport NORMAL, Ill. — Beginning Feb. 13, the Central Illinois Regional Airport will offer a new seasonal route to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona. Melissa Beaver, the airport’s manager of marketing and communications and public information officer, explained how the new route will operate, whether ticket prices are expected to rise and a disability awareness program the airport offers.
City of Bloomington prepares for a new PAC System
Image Courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – The City of Bloomington has had issues with its water supply since January of last year. Assistant Water Director Brett Lueschen and Water Purification Superintendent Scott Joyce explain why this is happening. “We’ve noticed in the last few years that maybe the levels of the taste and odor compounds, MIB and geosmin specifically, are higher than they were in the past,” Joyce said.
WZND and The Castle Theater host 2nd annual Battle of the Bands
NORMAL, Ill. – The Castle Theater partnered with WZND to host Battle of the Bands on Thursday, Nov. 6th. Battle of the Bands featured seven local bands for live performances of their music. The bands featured were Backlot, PTO, Dollhouse, Miley Cypress Hill, No Outlet, Lady Strange and Scarlet’s Darling.
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.
Normal Public Library reopens after 16-month renovation
Image Courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – After 16 months of rebuilding and relocating, the Normal Public Library reopened on Tuesday. Patron Experience Manager Laura Golaszewski shared why the library reopened, gave details on their renovations and why libraries are important to the community.
ISU spreads mental health awareness for Suicide Prevention Month
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University is making efforts on campus to provide mental health support for students during Suicide Prevention Month. Donelle Pressburger, a case manager for Student Health Services, talks about the types of support she offers to students, other mental health resources on campus and why they are important. Pressburger has been in her role since September 2023, with it being one of the first at ISU.
Children's Discovery Museum named new Director of Education
Image courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – The Children’s Discovery Museum named Katie Keller as the new Director of Education on Tuesday. Beth Whisman, Executive Director of Cultural Arts, talked about Keller’s previous experience, new ideas she brings to the museum and what this means for the town of Normal. “Her experience in the informal education world is through national parks.
ISU expands academic horizon with new College of Engineering opening in 2026
Image courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University is broadening its academic opportunities with the launch of a new College of Engineering, set to open in the fall of 2026. Branden Delk, Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Student Success, discussed the upcoming program and new facility, highlighting student opportunities and the different engineering fields available.
Bartonville celebrates the opening of a new therapy center
Image Courtesy of Illinois State University BARTONVILLE, Ill. – Lifelong Access marked the opening of its new autism and youth mental health center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday evening. Lifelong Access, already established in Normal, had long planned to expand west to broaden autism care and therapy services. Other services include behavioral and mental health care.
Bloomington once again recognized as a Tree City USA Community
Image Courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – The City of Bloomington was named as a Tree City USA Community by the non-profit Arbor Day Foundation. Superintendent of Park Maintenance Jeff Hindman spoke about what it means to have Bloomington become a Tree City, as well as the qualifications and ceremony taking place to celebrate the title. “In order to receive the award, we have to have a tree board or department, which we have our forestry division,” Hindman said.
World War II veteran's remains returns to Bloomington
Image courtesy of ISU Army ROTC BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – In 1943, Private First Class Robert Bryant was reported Missing In Action while fighting in Italy during World War II. He was a Bloomington resident, and now after 81 years, his remains will finally be returned to his family. Wayne Kirkpatrick is a member of Rolling Thunder, a national organization concerned with the treatment of veterans. He sees repatriations like this one as vitally important.
ISU officials "uncertain" about the potential Department of Education shutdown
Photo Courtesy of Getty/J. David Ake NORMAL, Ill. — Illinois State University officials are unsure of how the Trump administration’s Department of Education shutdown will impact the university and greater field of education ISU’s School of Teaching and Learning Professor Ben Wellenreiter addressed the uncertainty surrounding the possible closure.
ISU Office of Sustainability Graduate Assistant talks about April being Environmental Awareness Month
Image Courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – April is environmental awareness month. Graduate Assistant for the Office of Sustainability, Ryleigh Hickman talked about sustainability efforts and why climate management matters. “We do a lot of composting around campus and try to make switches for more environmentally friendly items,” Hickman said.
Results of the 2025 consolidated election
The Consolidated election for McLean County took place today, April 1. Out of the 66,268 voters registered in McLean County, 16,874 cast their ballot in this election, resulting in about a 25.46% voter turnout rate. The McLean County proposition to impose a countywide school sales tax was passed with 9,041 votes in Bloomington and 8,374 votes from the rest of McLean County. Normal Mayor Chris Koos won by 45.85% of the vote. Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady won by 48% of the vote.
HCC and ISU host Southeast Asian Cultural Festival
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University and Heartland Community College are collaborating to host the Southeast Asian Cultural Festival from April 1 to April 4, offering students and community members an opportunity to explore the vibrant cultures of Southeast Asia. HCC Study Abroad Coordinator Zachary Petrea, shared insights into the planning process and the festival’s significance. “This is the third year this festival will be taking place,” Petrea said.
UFISU contract negotiation status
Image courtesy of the UFISU official Instagram page NORMAL, Ill. – After 13.5 hours of bargaining at yesterday’s meeting, the United Faculty of Illinois State University reached three tentative agreements on noneconomic issues. Workload, Assignment of Duties and Identification of Union Representatives have all been resolved between the parties according to the most recent university press release.
ISU hosts self defense classes taught by Campus Police
Image courtesy of Redbird Life NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Police Department is leading a no touch introductory self defense class. Redbird Aware begins with an hour and a half long presentation and discussion of safety and prevention tips, followed by an hour of learning stances and moves aimed at startling an aggressor and get to safety.
City Council Member Cody Hendricks runs for Mayor of Bloomington
Image Courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – City Council Member Cody Hendricks is running for Mayor of Bloomington in the upcoming municipal election. He explained his biggest goal if elected and how he plans to translate his council experience to the mayor position. “I’ve been on the council for two and a half years now,” Hendricks said. “You know some of the big accomplishments would be around the downtown streetscape plan.
Red Note Music Festival returns to ISU
Image courtesy of the Red Note Music Festival’s official Instagram page NORMAL, Ill. – The Red Note Music Festival is coming back to ISU this week featuring composition contests and professional musician performances. Red Note Music Festival Director Carl Schimmel shared what the planning process is like, who will be performing and what the event entails for ISU Students. “We plan the festival about a year in advance, planning takes up most of the year,” Schimmel said.
ISU Department of Communication Disorders hosts Alzheimer's Awareness Film Screening
Image Courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – The Department of Communication Disorders hosted a film screening on Tuesday at the Normal Theater in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association about the effects of Alzheimer’s. Event Organizer Tricia Larkin spoke on why they chose to focus on Alzheimer’s, some of the preconceived notions of the disease and key takeaways from the film. “Our department has provided free public films over the last three years,” Larkin said.
ISU grad details his time volunteering in Poland after the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war
NORMAL, Ill. – In the summer of 2022, Jeffrey Walsh, a graduate student at Illinois State University, found himself thousands of miles from home, standing amid a crisis that would change how he viewed the world. In Warsaw, Poland, just three months after the Russia- Ukraine war began, Walsh was there to offer his help. He volunteered with organizations such as UNICEF and the Polish Red Cross to assist the growing number of Ukrainian refugees pouring into the country.
Student Government Elections to take place this week
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University’s Student Government Association will hold their yearly elections on Tuesday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 5. Links will be sent in a mass email to the student body shortly after the polls open on Tuesday. Positions up for election include: the Student Trustee, President and Vice President for the Association of Residence Halls, President, Vice President and Chief of Staff for SGA, as well as 20 open seats for students senators of SGA.
NORMAL, Ill. — The Illinois State University Board of Trustees meeting on Friday saw topics of a possible faculty strike, justice for Palestine and growing concerns about immigrant student safety. Ashley Farmer is a criminal justice professor and a member of United Faculty of Illinois State University. She has been serving as the lead negotiator for the UFISU bargaining team. Farmer stated the union’s message for trustees was simple: the union needs a fair contract immediately.
Redevelopments coming to Downtown Bloomington
Image Courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – Various redevelopments are set to happen in the Bloomington area. City Manager Jeff Jurgens talks about where the redevelopments will take place, the changes that will be made and the project’s intended cost. “A lot of these buildings have sat vacant, for some of them 17 years,” Jurgens said.
ISU Faculty brings the fight for fair wages on to the quad
Image courtesy of United Faculty of Illinois State University’s official Instagram page NORMAL, Ill. – Faculty members and students of Illinois State University rallied in the Quad starting around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, to advocate for fair pay, job security and student mental health resources.
Tax increase for McLean County schools to appear on April 1st ballot
Image courtesy of Bloomington Public Schools District 87 website NORMAL, Ill. – A proposed 1% sales tax by Bloomington Public Schools District 87 will appear on the ballot in the April 1 election. The revenue from this tax would support building maintenance, facilities, and mental health resources for both Unit School District 5 and District 87. School board President Elizabeth Fox Anvick offered some details on how exactly the funds will be used.
Officer-Involved Shooting Under Investigation in Bloomington
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – A fatal officer-involved shooting occurred Tuesday evening in Bloomington, prompting an independent investigation by the Illinois State Police. The incident occurred in the 700 block of Fairmont Drive, while additional law enforcement presence was noted in the 800 block of Arcadia Avenue. Homeland Security was also present at the scene.
McLean County Coroner identifies victims of recent murder
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Bloomington Police Department and McLean County Coroner’s Office have released the identities of the four dead individuals found on the 900 block of North Lee Street on Sunday morning. Pronounced deceased at 12:27 p.m., on Feb. 23, 2025, were Christopher H. Simmons, age 33, of Bloomington, Illinois; Chelsea L. Lusher, age 31, of Bloomington, Illinois; Trina J. Hollings, age 30, of Normal, Illinois; and Armoni L. Bennett, age 13, of Bloomington, Illinois.
International Relations Professors holds lecture on boarder migration
Image Courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – International Relations and Geography Professor Marie Price, gave her lecture on border migration this past Friday. Professor John Kostelnick gave more insight as to what the lecture was about, its main points, and why they believe that border migration and geography are important topics that affect everyone.
University Housing Services searches for new residential solutions
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University has canceled its plans for a new residence hall, but other housing options are still in the works. University President Aondover Tarhule announced that the project was not moving forward at the State of the University address last semester. According to University Housing Services Assistant Marketing Director Hillary Campos, the reasons are fairly obvious. “It’s very out in the open that the budget is seen as a potential hurdle right now,” Campos said.
University Galleries to host Image of Research Competition
NORMAL, Ill. – The sixth annual Image of Research Exhibit will take place Thursday February 13, at University Galleries in Uptown Normal. Event Organizer Gina Hunt explained what people can expect from the event. ‘The exhibition will feature images created by ISU undergraduate and graduate students researchers who are all finalists in this year’s competition,” Hunt said.
Bloomington City Council Member discusses what's on the docket for the near future
Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Bloomington City Council is aiming to tackle local issues through collaborative efforts. City Council Member and Ward 6 representative Cody Hendricks discusses the Council’s role and his respectively. Some current issues that Hendricks mentioned include those of community and economy. A main topic of discussion amongst the community lately is housing.
Heartland Community College leads the charge in electric vehicle education programs
Image Courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – Heartland Community College introduced a new electrical vehicle certification program. Adam Campbell, Dean of Career and Technical Education, talks about what this program will consist of and why HCC felt it was important to establish it at their institution. “The certificate itself is called the Energy Systems Charging Infrastructure Technician Program,” Campbell said.
Image courtesy of Community Resources for Justice NORMAL, Ill. – The Bloomington Human Relations Commission is renewing their annual Black History Month Essay contest for the month of February. The annual essay contest based in Bloomington is for grade school students and aims for writers to dive into topics of black history and important historical figures’ individual contributions.
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University will host the nearly sold-out Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 15, in the Brown Ballroom at the Bone Student Center at 5 p.m. Tickets are available through Jan. 31 or until sold-out. Emmy-nominated, multiplatform storyteller and producer Baratunde Thurston will be the featured speaker for the event.
McLean County organizations weigh-in on the future of reproductive rights
NORMAL, Ill. – The 1973 Supreme Court Case “Roe v. Wade” granted women the federal right to seek reproductive care as they see fit. On June 24, 2022, the case was overturned, leaving the responsibility of issuing accessibility to abortion care to each individual state.
Local event allows teen girls to make their voices heard
Image Courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – The That’s What Teens Say program returned to Bloomington-Normal on Sunday, Jan 26. Put on in partnership with the What She Said program and Family Community Resource Center, the event gave teen girls a platform to share their personal stories. National Program Director Jenette Jurczyk gave insight into how this program for local teen girls started and why she believes it is important for them to have a safe space to be themselves.
Veterans Parkway strives to become safer for the community
Image courtesy of the McLean County Government Center’s official Facebook page NORMAL, Ill. – Veteran’s Parkway is looking to make new changes to provide a safer environment for pedestrians and vehicles. The McLean County Regional Planning Commission has undergone a study that will work to identify the needs for both pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. The commission is asking the public about their experiences on Veterans Parkway so they can properly adhere to the community’s needs.
McLean County Winter Weather Advisories
NORMAL, Ill. – Due to extremely cold temperatures, the following closures and delays will be in effect on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
ISU's Winter Fest to return to the Bone Student Center
Image courtesy of Redbird Life NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University’s annual Winter Festis coming back to campus this week. Graduate Assistant Taylor Otterson spoke on how the Brown Ballroom holds the many Registered Student Organizations on campus. ‘We started talking and planning the event back in October,” Otterson said. “We like to look back at last year’s event to see what went well and what didn’t go well.
Normal radio station receives grant to increase local education coverage
Image Courtesy of Illinois State University NORMAL, Ill. – Bloomington-Normal’s NPR affiliate station WGLT received a $20,000 grant to increase news coverage of local schools. Awarded by the Google News Initiative, WGLT plans to boost coverage of Unit 5, District 87, ISU Lab schools and other public and private schools in the McLean County area. WGLT News Director Eric Stock explained why they chose to focus on education and how it serves the community.
WZND and Castle Theatre host first ever Battle of the Bands
NORMAL, Ill. WZND’s Music Department partnered with The Castle Theatre in Downtown Bloomington to host Battle of the Bands: Next Gen. Emceed by Music Director Logan Moeller and Assistant Music Director Elizabeth Zoerner, Battle of the Bands featured seven live performances from local bands. The bands that hit the stage were: From Within, Blind Baby, Cats and Dragons, The Occasion , Loose 9000, Short Notice and Peng. Each band played a total of three songs and performed for roughly 20 minutes.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Bloomington City Council has approved a split of the city’s Economic and Community Development department into two separate departments. The split will lead to the creation of the Department of Community Impact and Enhancement, tasked with focusing on grants and community development more broadly, and the Development Services Department, tasked with managing zoning and development.
Small business in Uptown Normal keeps the town supplied with ISU gear
Image courtesy of the official Campustown Supply Facebook page NORMAL, Ill. – November’s Small Business Month is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the economy and communities. Uptown Normal is home to many small businesses, including ISU apparel shop Campustown Supply. Store owner Daniel Maloney shared his experience owning a small business. “The best part about running a business is being my own boss,” Maloney said. “We’re closed on Mondays, why?
McLean County holds Youth and Family Resource Fair
Image Courtesy of British Heart Foundation NORMAL, Ill. – McLean County outreach organization Systems of Care held a youth and family resource fair last week to provide community members in need with essential goods. Event Coordinator Kelley Jacobs gave insight on what they hoped to accomplish with the fair. “It’s always been a goal of the System of Care to bring people together to share resources that support children, youth, and families,” Jacobs said.
Image courtesy of the ISU Army ROTC official Instagram page NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State University Army ROTC program and psychology department are teaming up with Student Veterans of America, Gold Star Mission and the Normal Township in honor of the day. The event is split into separate parts and will begin at noon in the Prairie Room in the Bone Student Center.
Bloomington Ice Center Manger Inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame
Image courtesy of the Bloomington Parks and Recreation official website BLOOMINGTON, Ill. Bloomington Ice Center Manager Michael Hernbrott will be inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame under the coaches category in Jan 2025. “I am humbled and honored to feel like I made an impact in my chosen profession,” Hernbrott said. “I already got enough of it between the different communities I worked with and the kids and families I have gotten to know.
New question about the county auditor to appear on the McLean County ballot
NORMAL, Ill. – A unique feature of the McLean County ballot this election season is the question of whether or not the county auditor will continue to be an elected position. Chair of the McLean County Democrats Patrick Cortesi, and McLean County Board member Elizabeth Johnson gave their thoughts on what they believe will be best for the county. “I would suggest that you vote yes to not make it an elected position,” Cortesi said. “That doesn’t mean we don’t want an auditor.
Flashback Friday "Male Manipulator Music"
Just like every Friday, Flashback Friday took on a new theme for their show. This time, Niyah, Cami, and Gabe looked at their favorite “Male Manipulator” songs, ranging from artists like The 1975 to Oasis. Their weekly FBF picks are linked below!
ISU and Heartland Community College partner for Digital Literacy Week
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University is teaming up with Heartland Community College for Digital Literacy Week, to promote community access and knowledge of technology. “This will be our second year in the partnership. Last year, we partnered for digital skills training as well as device distributions.
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