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Man sentenced to 75 years for 2023 rural Bloomington homicide
BLOOMINGTON (25News Now) - A convicted killer was sentenced in McLean County Thursday to 75 years in prison for a shooting in February of last year that claimed the life of a 20-year-old man. Desmond Sterling, 23, was found guilty earlier this year of first-degree murder for the death of...
Pritzker announces $827M in funding for Rivian plant expansion
NORMAL, Ill. (WTVO) — Gov. JB Pritzker announced a $827 million investment from the state of Illinois to expand electric vehicle maker Rivian’s operations in Normal. The company recently announced it would begin building its more affordable R2 model in Illinois, a change from the original plan that would have built it at a new […]
Students camp and protest for Palestine in ISU quad, potential university involvement
NORMAL, Ill. – Students of Illinois State University have joined other campuses across the country as they protest their university’s potential involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At approximately 12:30 p.m. yesterday the group, “Students for Justice in Palestine ISU,” began protesting as they set up several tents, posters...
Longtime local radio host Scott Laughlin dies
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Scott Laughlin, a longtime local radio broadcaster, died Tuesday after a several-year-long fight against cancer. He was 65. Laughlin had a 40-year radio career, with 14 years at WBNQ and 19 years at WJBC. He retired in 2019 after he was diagnosed with cancer. “I...
Illinois high school students sign offer letters from Caterpillar
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Ten Illinois high school students signed a contract with Caterpillar to be full-time employees or part of their college internship program Tuesday. Students from Manuel, East Peoria and Morton high schools signed offer letters to kick-start their Caterpillar careers. Each student has completed the “Essentials...
Bloomington Fire Dept. wants community input
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — The Bloomington Fire Department announced the launch of a new Community Engagement Survey on Wednesday. According to a City of Bloomington news release, the fire department wants to more proactive with community needs. Fire Chief Cory Matheny said, “At the Bloomington Fire Department, we believe...
Normal’s Pizza Payaa places 9th in international pizza competition
Pizza Payaa, a local restaurant known for its iconic pizza, recently placed ninth in an International Pizza Competition in Vegas for Detroit-style pizza. Adam Elpayaa, the owner of Pizza Payaa, competed against 500 contestants, taking home the 14th place win in pan pizzas overall. Inspired by his passion for food,...
All the world's (literally) a stage for the Nomad Theatre Company
Few environments are as carefully controlled as a theater. An actor hits her mark just in time for a spotlight to bathe her face in light. Music swells and recedes in time with movement on the stage. The audience is guided by these sensory cues until the curtain drops, heavy and final, to signal the story has come to an end.
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