Merna, IL Events and More

Cumulus cuts two more hosts at Bloomington radio stations

Another round of layoffs at Cumulus Media has further gutted two Bloomington radio stations. Scott Miller, the longtime morning host at news-talk station WJBC, posted a farewell video on Facebook on Thursday. Faith Rinker, the morning host on country station B104 and also host on the Top 40 station WBNQ, posted on Facebook that she had also been let go. Both said their positions were eliminated.

Bloomington, IL · 21h

25newsnow.com

2 Bloomington schools are meeting in one building

BLOOMINGTON (25News Now) - In February 2024, District 87 purchased the former OAB building from State Farm. They spent a year and a half transforming it into the Willie G. & Gloria Brown Education Center. One half is the Bloomington Career Academy, and the other half is the Sarah Raymond School of Early Education.

wglt.org

Bloomington-Normal Jaycees trim the 2026 holiday parade route, skipping Normal

The annual Bloomington-Normal Jaycees Holiday Parade is aiming to make participation easier by shortening the route for its 96th year. The parade used to go from Kingsley Junior High School to Downtown Bloomington, travelling through Bloomington and Normal for two and a half miles. Now, the parade will go from...

wglt.org

Investors funding developments in parts of northwest Normal, Uptown and Downtown Bloomington will get a tax break starting in 2027

It’s expensive to build right now and while there are multiple reasons why, cost continues to be one of the biggest hurdles to overcome. Bloomington-Normal’s Economic Development Council [EDC] is hopeful a new federal program giving tax breaks to investors will be yet another incentive to get developers building.

Normal, IL · 1d

WMBD/WYZZ

Donations still needed for Home Sweet Home Ministries’s ‘Big Give’

Home Sweet Home Ministries is seeking donations, including turkey cards and traditional food items, to provide Thanksgiving meals for 1,500 families.

Bloomington, IL · 21h

channel1450.com

U-High Celebrates Signing Day for Seven Athletes

Seven Normal University Pioneers made their college commitments official on Wednesday. Three baseball players, three track and field athletes and one golfer participated in the ceremony. We spoke to all of them after their signings and the full list of players is below. Cole Brent – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign...

Normal, IL · 1d

WMBD/WYZZ

Uptown Normal underpass project makes progress

The $40 million Underpass project in Uptown Normal, which began on September 30, 2025, is continuing its utility relocation phase and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2028.

Normal, IL · 21h

goredbirds.com

Cali Kruer Signs With Illinois State Gymnastics

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State gymnastics head coach Cassandra Ringers has announced the signing of Cali Kruer (New Albany, Indiana) to the 2027-28 roster. Cali Kruer / New Albany, Indiana / New Albany HS / Southern Indiana Gymnastics Sportsplex. • Has recorded high scores of 9.70 on balance beam,...

Normal, IL · 1d

connectcre.com

Avatar Financial Group Provides Bridge Loan for Bloomington Hotel Conversion to Spark by Hilton

Avatar Financial Group LLC has closed a $3.55 million bridge loan that retires the bank debt on the Parke Regency Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington, Illinois, and funds its conversion to a premium economy Spark by Hilton. Structured at 70% loan-to-stabilized-value, the two-year loan also funded a reserve for...

WMBD/WYZZ

Bloomington offering up to $25,000 in grants for local projects

The city of Bloomington has launched the Making Life Better Microgrant Program, offering up to $25,000 for local projects focused on areas such as workforce development, housing, and community engagement.

Bloomington, IL · 23h

wglt.org

Parents, students happy with rebuilt home for Bloomington Career Academy and D87's early learning school

The public got its first look at a completed Willie G. and Gloria Brown Education Center Wednesday. District 87 purchased the building on Oakland Avenue from State Farm in 2024. It then became the home of the Bloomington Career Academy [BCA] and the Sarah Raymond School of Early Learning. District 87 renamed the building after two Bloomington High School graduates. Willie Brown retired from State Farm in 2009, having worked in the building now named after him.

WMBD/WYZZ

Statewide rules for e-bikes and scooters begin Jan. 1

New Illinois laws governing the operation and classification of micromobility devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters are set to take effect on Jan. 1.

Illinois · 2d

wglt.org

partner publisher · 83.0K followers

Retiring probation officer Charlene Beringer helped people in McLean County's criminal justice system feel special

Before McLean County had its own juvenile detention center, young people detained by the county stayed in a designated hallway of the county jail. “It was very stark, it’s very different from what we have today,” said Charlene Beringer, who began working in McLean County’s justice system in 1987.

Mclean County, IL · 3d

Real Simple

What Happens to Your Gut When You Drink Warm Water Every Morning, According to a Gastroenterologist

We asked the experts.

Bloomington, IL · 2d

wglt.org

McLean County Board approves $150 million budget, lowers tax rate

The McLean County Board on Thursday approved a $150 million budget, increasing spending by $5.9 million but lowering the property tax rate for the third time in three years. The budget will lower the county’s property tax rate to its lowest level in 20 years, largely due to a 6.72% increase in the county’s equalized assessed valuation. The tax rate will drop from $0.83 to $0.81 per $100 assessed valuation, amounting to a decrease of $15.86 for the owner of a $255,000 home. However, because of the increases in valuation, some homeowners may not see a decrease in their actual county tax bill.

Mclean County, IL · 16h

northernpublicradio.org

Rep. Sharon Chung hopes a new Illinois House speaker and IG will better address harassment claims

A state lawmaker from Bloomington who helped stage a coup of the Illinois House speaker is hopeful his removal, along with a new legislative inspector general, will lead to substantive changes in the way harassment and abuse allegations are handled in state government. State Rep. Sharon Chung of Bloomington was...

Illinois · 2d

isu10news.com

Illinois Passes Law Limiting E-Bikes

The state of Illinois has passed a new law limiting where E-Bikes can be driven. This new legislation comes as accidents involving the increasingly popular vehicle including two in Bloomington-Normal. It states that bikes that can go above 15 miles per hour are prohibited from being used on sidewalks. Usage on shared pathways, such as the Constitution Trail, is up to local government.

Illinois · 23h

thepetersburgobserver.com

Developer Hoping to Purchase Bloomington Mall Hires VP

The company that is proposing to buy Eastland Mall in Bloomington, raze it and build outdoor shopping has hired a new development vice president. The deal to buy the 53-acre site for more than $11 million is subject to approval by Bloomington city officials but has not drawn opposition. The...

25newsnow.com