LATEST NEWS
UPDATE: Armed subject taken into custody in Normal
UPDATE 12:31 P.M. - Normal Police say an armed subject was taken into custody without incident. Officers were called at around 10:17 a.m. Thursday to the 200 block of Susan Drive for a subject armed with a knife. Officers surrounded the subject and began communicating with them. The situation was...
Bloomington resident receives governor’s award
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) –On Thursday, Joe Wilson was recognized as the “Outstanding Senior Volunteer” for the Illinois North Central Region. He received this recognition at the 14th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards. According to his nomination, Wilson retired after a lifetime as a construction worker with...
Normal Police report a notable rise in crime, crashes in 2023
Crime reports jumped 24% in Normal last year. According to the department’s annual report posted online, assault and battery incidents were up 29%, thefts rose 33%, and car burglaries jumped 53%. Drug offenses increased 32% while sexual assaults, firearms and weapons offenses also increased but at lower rates. Police...
Teen arrested for allegedly hijacking vehicle in Normal
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — The Normal Police Department arrested a teen on Wednesday for allegedly hijacking a vehicle. According to Normal police, officers arrested Kendu Fisher-Edwards, 18, from Chicago for vehicular hijacking with help from the U.S. Marshall’s Task Force. On Thursday, April 18, officers responded to the...
Fire forces evacuation of Rivian plant
A fire at the Rivian plant in Normal forced the evacuation of the plant for an hour and a half Thursday morning. The fire happened under a section of conveyor that moves vehicle chassis down the assembly line on the western side of the building, said the Normal Fire Department.
Bloomington Optimist Club Honors Local Police Officer and Civilian Staff Member for Exceptional Service
The Bloomington Optimist Club recently announced their picks for the 2024 Respect for Law Officer of the Year and Civilian Staff Member of the Year awards, shining a light on those who have demonstrated unwavering commitment and respect in the line of duty. This year's accolades went to BPD Officer Andy Plant and Civilian Staff Member Michelle Martinsen for their exceptional service, according to the City of Bloomington.
Former anti-vaxxer addresses infectious disease conference in Normal
A few years ago, Heather Simpson refused to get any vaccines for her child. Now, she's a pro-vaccine advocate, touring the country to explain her transformation and how she talks to others about the vaccine hesitancy and fears she once had. “I really did think that vaccines were the enemy,”...
Students for Justice in Palestine hold solidarity rally
Students for Justice in Palestine held a solidarity rally at 1 p.m. Friday at Schroeder Plaza in support of Palestine in its ongoing war with Israel. Students gathered to share their support and concerns for those affected by the war. Steven Lazaroff, a member of Students for Justice in Palestine,...
INtegRIty Counseling: 10 years serving the uninsured and underinsured
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — On April 1, INtegRIty Counseling celebrated 10 years of business. Luella and Don Mahannah co-founded the non-profit. INtegRIty offers pay-what-you-can counseling sessions. From the front desk to the counselors, INtegRIty operates with volunteers. “Don and I are still full-time volunteers. So, we have been kind...
Local organization hosts free swimming classes for kids
MCLEAN COUNTY (25News Now) -With summer break right around the corner, many kids and families are planning to head to the pool!. More than 100 kids took part in the Bloomington-Normal Chapter’s Jack and Jill’s Swim Water Safety Event Saturday at the YMCA in McLean County. According to...
Feds investigate IWU for allegedly ignoring antisemitism during October rally
BLOOMINGTON (25News Now) - Protests over the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas are sweeping through universities across the country. Now, Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington is under the microscope of the U.S. Department of Education for a discrimination complaint. The criticism against the university comes after a protest last...
From Vintage Trucks to High-Tech Heroes, Bloomington Firefighters Keep Community Flame with Modern Machinery
The Bloomington Fire Department’s fire-fighting capabilities have seen monumental advancements over the years, trading in old workhorses for high-powered, modern machinery capable of tackling blazes with far greater efficiency. A look back at the department's history shows a 1946 Ford truck as one of its earliest fire-fighting assets, equipped with a 250 gallons per minute pump and a 500-gallon water tank, as highlighted in a recent article posted on the city's official website.
Former Illinois forward sticking around Big Ten for final season
Former Illinois forward Luke Goode announced Friday that he is transferring to Indiana, remaining in the Big Ten for his final season of eligibility. Goode entered the portal on Monday, quickly finding a new home in Bloomington. The 6-foot-7, 210-pound athlete is from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and he’ll now get...
'We're still open': PATH steps away from regional role leading homeless services
PATH Crisis Center in Bloomington is “stepping away” from its role leading a regional homeless services program called the Central Illinois Continuum of Care [CICoC], the nonprofit’s interim CEO and executive director told WGLT. The program is run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development...
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