United Airlines' expected return to CIRA delayed another year

An airline's return to Central Illinois Regional Airport is delayed again. Signs from multiple airlines greet travelers as they enter CIRA, including one from United Airlines. A sign near the baggage claim advertises nonstop flights to and from CIRA to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, but n…

Weatherman-turned-congressman Eric Sorensen wants to guide weather preparedness from D.C.

Eric Sorensen is the only meteorologist serving in Congress. The former television weatherman is looking to use that experience to help shape federal policy to help keep Americans safe from weather disasters.

McLean County housing experts discuss state of homelessness at Bloomington conference

About 90 residents gathered Thursday at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bloomington for a community forum on the state of homelessness and housing in the community. The event was sponsored by the McLean County Housing Coalition as a part of the Central Illinois Continuum of Care conference. Of the ma…

Western Avenue block party celebrates 100 years of community center

The Western Avenue Community Center [WACC] held a Block Party centennial celebration Saturday in Bloomington. The WACC holds programming for youth and seniors, interpretation and translation services and food programs largely paid for through donations. The celebration featured food, activities, f…

One Bloomington yard sign speaks on the other side of resident data center debate

Xavier Lee is the owner of what is most likely Bloomington’s only “Yes to Data Centers” sign. Lee is a Bloomington native and works at Rivian in inbound logistics, ensuring the efficiency of the electric automaker's supply and delivery lines. He decided to post the sign in his yard on Fairway Drive…

Light Up the Ring event signals a new era in Downtown Bloomington

As each number was called out in Mayor Dan Brady’s five-second countdown in the 600 block of North Main Street, Downtown Bloomington got one step closer to the area’s future. Once he reached "one" and flipped an oversized switch, everything around him, council members and Bloomington-Normal residen…

How Central Illinois mini painter Lyla Mev built a career and a community, one tiny statue at a time

WGLT's new series Maker to Maker debuts with Lyla Mev, a Central Illinois mini painter who's amassed a huge following on YouTube with tutorials for other painters of all skill levels.

33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band closes Concerts on the Quad series with Civil War tunes

The 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band will be the finale to Illinois State University's Concerts on the Quad series, on Monday, July 27, as the band celebrates 30 years since its formation in 1996 and the U.S. celebrates 250 years as a country.

Advocates say homeless people in Uptown Normal don't need more rules. They need support

Philippians Banks knows what it's like to have nowhere to go. Before she became manager at Windy City Weiners in Uptown Normal, Banks stayed with people who eventually asked her to leave. She slept on couches and, a few times, in a car — until someone paid for a hotel room long enough for her to ge…

As Bloomington Ice Center ramps up for fall, the area's only ice rink is at maximum capacity

Bloomington Ice Center [BIC] is set to reopen Aug. 1 after a series of annual maintenance projects at the city-owned facility hosting recreational ice hockey and figure skating. But as the venue gears up for its fall season, if you aren't already there, it's going to be very hard to get in.