Illinois' climate is changing. Should weather warnings change with it?

When skies are dark and cloudy, and rain is pouring down, it’s not uncommon to see someone watching the chaos from the comfort of their porch or right next to the window. That’s the case even when warnings are urging people to seek shelter. Joesph Trujillo-Falcón studies weather communication and p…

Illinois Federation of Teachers wants Meta settlement money sent to public schools

Illinois was awarded $768 million in a multistate settlement with Meta over child social media addiction. The Illinois Federation of Teachers, which is made up of over 200 local unions, wants that money sent to public schools. IPR's Peter Medlin spoke to the IFT's chief of staff Kurt Hilgendorf abo…

Route 66 Centennial boosts McLean County visitor count and sets stage for tourism growth

Bloomington-Normal tourism officials say the Route 66 centennial celebrations have increased out-of-town visits to McLean County by 3% compared to year-to-date figures from last year.

North Danvers Mennonite Church celebrates 175 years of faith through service

The North Danvers Mennonite Church is celebrating its 175th birthday, making it just 20 years younger than the county it stands in. The congregation is rolling out the proverbial red carpet for a full weekend of festivities.

Path to resolution of shared sales tax dispute remains unclear

More than a year and a half after a dispute over shared sales tax money began, the City of Bloomington, Town of Normal and McLean County have no resolution and no talks scheduled. Bloomington City Manager Jeff Jurgens said even after a recent audit of the county fund that receives the money, the ci…

McLean County Drug Court celebrates 20 years of 'changing lives forever'

Behind the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the McLean County Drug Court are numerous stories of “lives changed forever,” according to one judge of the program.

Bloomington-Normal not immune from journalism and media cuts

It’s been a tumultuous few weeks for Bloomington-Normal media. The owner of The Pantagraph, Davenport, Iowa-based Lee Enterprises, let go of its Central Illinois executive editor Aug. 19 in an apparent cost-cutting move. It’s the latest in a long string of reductions at the Bloomington newspaper.

The $400 million dispute: Why Rivian thinks its Normal properties are overvalued and overtaxed

Imagine you’re a homeowner who just spent millions of dollars turning your house into a mansion, with over 10 additions and tons of new amenities inside. Then, when it’s time to figure out what your new property tax bill will be on your estate, you argue to the government that your mansion is actua…

Pritzker says state won't trade farmland for data centers during McLean County stop

Gov. JB Pritzker said he doesn't want to see McLean County farmland given up for data centers. He said the state should be pumping the brakes on the industry rather than rolling out the red carpet for it.

Up in the sky: National Weather Services focuses on creating trust with the public at open house

The National Weather Service in Lincoln opened its doors Saturday for the first time in 19 years, and wants to be more accessible to the public in the future. Nearly 800 members of the public toured the facility that issues severe weather alerts for the McLean County area and throughout Central Ill…