Small and mighty WYSE food pantry gets a boost from B-N music community

Marty Lane grew up feeding people. “In the words of Tupac, 'I didn’t choose this life; it chose me,'” she said. Lane was born and raised in West Bloomington. Her grandfather ran a community garden behind Sunnyside Housing project, delivering food in pickle buckets gifted from Steak 'n Shake and h…

Central Illinois has a nurse shortage. New caps on student loan borrowing could make it worse.

A provision tucked in the fine print of the so-called Big Beautiful Bill passed by Congress last summer cuts borrowing limits for graduate students, raising concerns among health care providers and educators amid ongoing worker shortages.

Bloomington mayor defends First Friday pullback, offers reassurance on tardy leaf collection

Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady said the downtown business community largely drove the city decision to scale back on First Friday promotional events. The city will now pick its spots to promote First Fridays, tied to happenings such as the Route 66 Festival, Tour du Chocolat, or holiday programs.

Bloomington Junior High embraces AI technology in the classroom

Staff and students at District 87 schools like Bloomington Junior High School [BJHS] are now on the same page about the use of Artificial Intelligence [AI] technology. Resulting from a District 87 task force on AI policy, BJHS students are allowed to use AI in the classroom. BJHS uses MagicSchool A…

Groundbreaking ceremony kicks off long-awaited change to ISU's fine arts facilities

It is the end of the beginning for Illinois State University’s new fine arts complex. Key stakeholders, including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, gathered Tuesday for a ceremonial groundbreaking on a construction project making long-awaited facilities improvements to the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts.

Bloomington counselor offers tips for beating the winter blues

Now that the holiday season has passed, January can feel like a letdown for many. Counselors say January is the most depressing month of the year. Carrie Company, a licensed counselor in Bloomington, said the winter blues are common this time of year as longer nights disrupt our circadian rhythms.

Illinois, 4 other states targeted for $10B child care funding freeze win restraining order

Illinois and the four other Democratic-led states that were subject to the Trump administration’s freeze on $10 billion in federal funding for child care and family services secured a restraining order on Friday in their lawsuit seeking to block the move, WGLT's Charlie Schlenker reports.

State senator explains new 'Safe Schools for All' immigration law

The Safe Schools for All Act is one of many new Illinois laws that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Democratic State Sen. Karina Villa sponsored the legislation. IPR’s Peter Medlin talked with her about what the new law does.

Normal Community High School will host first TEDx event for students

For the first time at Normal Community High School [NCHS], students will have the chance to participate in presentations on technology, entertainment or design. It’s better known as a TEDTalk.

Scientists say Trump's second term has been defined by slashed funding, layoffs and uncertainty

Scientists in the middle of the country told Harvest Public Media that 2025 was a year of major changes and uncertainty.