ISU criminologist's new book shows schools use restraint and seclusion more than they're saying

According to federal data, more than 100,000 students are physically restrained and secluded in locked rooms annually in U.S. schools. But a Twin City scholar on criminology and psychology said that’s an undercount. Charles Bell is an associate professor of criminal justice sciences at Illinois Sta…

Illinois lawmakers consider removing the 2-year foreign language requirement for high school

Two Illinois lawmakers have introduced a bill that would remove the two-year foreign language requirement for high school. The requirement was signed into law in 2021 but does not go into effect until 2028. High school students will need to have completed the requirement to graduate.

Parents seek help from Normal Town Council to avoid relocation of students from Glenn Elementary

Parents of students at Glenn Elementary School have taken their pleas to keep the school as it is to the Normal Town Council. Ideally, they would like to see the council release a statement of support for their cause. One of two proposed fixes for enrollment imbalance in the Unit 5 school district …

Dr. Robert Cavagnol steps into new president's role at Carle Health in Bloomington-Normal

Last month, Carle Health named Dr. Robert Cavagnol the new president of its central region, which includes Bloomington-Normal. He replaced the retiring President Colleen Kannaday on Feb. 2. Kannaday was president of the service area for over 15 years. Although she was an amazing leader, Cavagnol sa…

Unit 5 adopts new reading curriculum that has classrooms hooked on phonics

A new reading curriculum already used in some other McLean County school districts is coming to Unit 5. The Unit 5 School Board approved districtwide adoption of UFLI [University of Florida Literacy Institute] for K-2 classrooms during its February meeting, to begin in the 2026-27 school year. UFLI…

Crucial water system upgrades are in Bloomington's plans

The City of Bloomington doesn't know what's happening to up to 3 million gallons of water per day — and it could be more during the summer. An aging treatment and distribution system is a root cause.

Museum event lets people consider what ‘life and liberty’ means as America turns 250

Dozens of people gathered Saturday afternoon to dig into the meaning of the Declaration of Independence, and how its principles fit into America’s culture today. The program, focusing on the phrase “Life and Liberty,” was at the McLean County Museum of History and is part of the Democracy Dialogues…

Here Come the Mummies bring the funk to Bloomington

They were mummified a long time ago and only came out once or twice before getting stuck back in their sarcophagi for several thousands of years. Then the band got together in 1999. That’s what Mummy Cass told WGLT in an interview for Sound Ideas. Frontman Cass got together with Eddie Mummy around …

State Farm reports strong growth — and shares some of it with policyholders

State Farm had a good year in 2025 and is sharing some of that with policyholders in a company record dividend.

Meet the Democrats running for US Senate from Illinois

Illinois residents soon have a big choice to make: who should represent them in the U.S. Senate for the next six years? And because Illinois is such a heavily blue state — all eyes are on the Democratic primary in the race to replace longtime retiring US Senator Dick Durbin. WBEZ political reporter…