On today's episode, Nightshop's closing leaves a void in Bloomington-Normal's music scene, the top arts and culture moments of Bloomington-Normal in 2024, Women United promotes children's literacy with the help of Dolly Parton, plus a reading of  "A Visit from Saint Nicholas."

Please enjoy "Twas the Night Before #Christmas" (aka "A Visit from Saint Nicholas"), as read by WGLT’s Charlie Schlenker. Happy holidays from all of us at WGLT!

Bloomington-Normal has seen an increase in homegrown musical acts in recent years, but the number of performance spaces in the community keeps dropping. A live music venue that opened to great fanfare in downtown Bloomington in 2018 will be live one last time this weekend.

Each week, our Datebook series shares arts features and fun things to do around the Twin Cities. The pulse of any community beats through its culture—and 2024 was one for the books.

Nonprofit partners, including Chestnut Health Systems and the Regional Office of Education, will work with Lifelong Access to provide wrap-around support for youth and teens.

There was a lot of enthusiasm when Dolly Parton’s children’s literacy program first came to McLean County almost two years ago. Now, local organizers with Women United want to keep that momentum going.

The Unit 5 and District 87 school boards and several other districts in McLean County have voted to put a sales tax referendum on the April 1 ballot. The proposed 1% sales tax would raise money for school facilities, school resource officers, and mental health programming.

There is no “one size fits all” roadmap for victims looking to find their way out of an abusive relationship. Jocelyn’s story of feeling lost and then finding ways to advocate for herself is one potential path, and it includes stops at many of the resources and organizations in place to help victims in McLean County. Other victims interviewed by WGLT found the circuitous process to be confusing or overwhelming.

Heartland Community College's Workforce Equity Initiative teaches low-income people the skills needed to work higher-paying jobs.

The holidays can be an isolating time of year, particularly for seniors without family nearby. Normal-based nonprofit Faith in Action runs a program that pairs volunteers with seniors for regular conversations to fight loneliness and social isolation — year-round.

On today's episode, the latest in WGLT’s series on domestic violence in McLean County, educators make the case for a sales tax to support an array of needs in McLean County public schools, and a nonprofit in Normal helps seniors fight loneliness and isolation and students get a second chance through a workforce equity effort at Heartland Community College.

Normal City Manager Pam Reece says, for now, the town will not recommend approving use of e-scooters on streets and sidewalks. Commercial firms have wanted to begin e-scooter rentals in the Twin Cities. The town has looked at the issue off and on for more than five years. In this interview with WGLT’s Charlie Schlenker, Reece explains why the town is reluctant to give the OK.

On today's show, you'll hear the second part of WGLT's series about domestic violence in McLean County. Plus, a local couple's wedding is especially timely. And an interview with Normal City Manager Pam Reece.

Blair Broughton and Bethany Theobald planned to get married next year. The political climate prompted them to bump up the date — and a community-wide offer from the Unitarian Universalist Church in Bloomington helped make that possible. 

Domestic violence has escalated since the pandemic — and is becoming more violent. Domestic violence deaths more than doubled in Illinois in 2023. And in Bloomington-Normal, at least two women caught in cycles of domestic violence lost their lives in the past two years. Police intervention can be one tool in disrupting domestic violence. Orders of protection are another. But it’s an imperfect system, sometimes with dire consequences.

McLean County's decision to drop Show Bus as its rural transportation provider and explore a partnership with Connect Transit poses challenges and tight deadlines for other counties in the region that Show Bus may still serve.

People should remain vigilant, the Bloomington Police Department [BPD] warns, after the homes of two area Asian business owners were burglarized in the past three weeks. This, according to a media release.

WGLT reviewed over 100 police reports from this year involving allegations that someone violated an order of protection. Most never lead to criminal charges. And sometimes, prosecutors undercharged – pursuing a misdemeanor count when someone was seemingly eligible for a more serious felony, WGLT found.

On today's episode, the first in WGLT's series on domestic violence in McLean County, Bloomington police report a series of burglaries targeting Asian-Americans, McLean County's plans to drop a regional transportation contract leave some neighboring counties scrambling, plus the latest edition of McHistory recalls the first Civil War Christmas in McLean County.

The City of Bloomington Township will be reimplementing a financial assistance program for those with housing difficulties.

According to Amy Hopper, behavioral health program manager for the McLean County Health Department, one of the biggest stressors of the season can be summed up in one word: pressure.

Kobe Revolving Sushi Bar offers a first-of-its-kind dining experience for Bloomington-Normal residents. A two-level conveyor belt system delivers Japanese morsels directly to the patron.

Saturday's win was No. 600 in Debbie Coffman’s career as the Saints’ girls head basketball coach. Her 600-184 record, amassed over 27 seasons, includes a state championship, two state runner-up finishes and a third-place trophy. That’s a lot of success and staying power.

On today's episode, you'll hear about holiday stress, why we ask too much of ourselves every year, and what we can do about it. Plus, an interview with a Bloomington-Normal basketball coach who just notched her 600th win. And you'll visit Bloomington-Normal's first revolving sushi restaurant.

Allison Isley will be one of more than 1,300 students graduating Saturday at ISU’s Winter Commencement. Isley is set to walk across the stage with a degree in music education — a signal of the second chance she gave herself to pursue what she really wanted.

The City of Bloomington may have what looks an awful lot like an austerity budget next year, despite double-digit growth in property values. That's because the city council chose to keep the same tax levy for next year, the second straight year of a flat levy, ignoring increases in the cost of providing services. In response, Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe said the city will impose a hiring freeze and cut its workforce through attrition to make up for those rising costs.

On today's episode, the city of Bloomington is putting in a hiring freeze to help it get through tough financial times, a soon-to-be ISU graduate takes a non-traditional path to her diploma and Santa is making his list and checking it twice and says all Bloomington-Normal boys and girls are nice.

Santa, the elves and his reindeer are ramping up to meet demand this holiday season. Thanks to a stellar management team, he’s been able to optimize production and carve out time additional time to greet boys and girls from Bloomington-Normal as they prep their cookie plates and hang their stockings with care.

On today's episode, a Bloomington group that reviews police policy and complaints has had a hard time attracting youth members, some nonprofits worry about a bill in Congress that could make it easier to strip their funding, and a recent ISU grad is working on an app to help young adult cancer patients connect for support.

Nonprofits fear a proposed law aimed at counterterrorism could unintentionally politicize the sector.

A requirement that Bloomington’s Public Safety and Community Relations Board [PSCRB] include two youth members has not led to an increase in youth engagement. It’s why the board wants to change wording of the rule from they “shall” to they “may” serve on the board, in hopes of keeping the seats filled regardless of age.

An Illinois State University alumni who was diagnosed with a rare type of head and neck cancer is now working to develop a mobile app that should help spread awareness and create a community for cancer patients.

For nearly two years, Eric Smith, an IT professional who can trace his interest in computers back to the Commodore 64, has offered his technical expertise to anyone in need via what's called the Free Community Computer Clinic.

Ten finalists have been announced in Illinois’ contest to redesign the state flag after the Illinois Flag Commission received nearly 5,000 submissions for consideration.

Cold and flu season is here just in time for the holidays, and four years after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic health officials are concerned about waving vaccination rates.

On today's episode, a Twin Cities native designs a new state flag for Illinois, McLean County health officials say it's peak season for respiratory illnesses and low vaccination rates are a concern, plus there's no cash required for these two techies offering free computer help in Bloomington-Normal. 

A Town of Normal fixture is retiring after four decades in municipal government, and the town is re-aligning leadership in the wake of that.

On today's episode, rural police departments in McLean County embrace a 'different way of policing,' the head of inspections in Normal reflects on all the development he has seen in 40 years with the town, and Illinois students name their favorite books of the year.

IPR's Peter Medlin talked with school librarian Nichole Folkman about the Readers’ Choice Award winners from the Association of Illinois School Library Educators ... the books Illinois students loved the most in 2024.

Policing in a small town comes with its own set of challenges but plenty of benefits too — an important factor as police departments nationwide face recruiting challenges.

Young adults are different from older adults. So are 18- to 25-year-olds who have committed crimes. Over the last five years, the court services division in McLean County has tried to build capacity to address the specific needs of that age cohort.

At a recent robotics competition, Bloomington-Normal students learned skills they'll likely use throughout their lives.

More families are becoming food insecure, as the Midwest Food Bank in Normal reports its partner agencies have seen 25% more families seeking food assistance services as of late. A recent $300,000 donation from the Jesus Christ Church of Latter-day Saints allowed the food bank to buy a new semi, which Midwest Food Bank CEO Eric Hodel said will help the organization meet the rising need.

After fatal police shootings and other deaths at the hands of law enforcement in Illinois, investigating agencies are required to “publicly release a report” if no charges are brought against the officers.

On today's episode, McLean County courts are looking for mentors to help young adults who are serving probation; Illinois prosecutors are required to publicly release reports about fatal police shootings, but some prosecutors stay silent; Midwest Food Bank looks to address what it calls unprecedented demand due to increased costs; plus a competition in Bloomington teaches kids STEM through Legos.

Listen to Part 2 of WGLT's interview with Heidi Mueller from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

The head of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services tells WGLT the agency has made big gains in reducing chronic staff shortages this year.

Despite lingering concern over an ordinance to suppress problems at large-scale pop-up parties, the Normal Town Council passed the measure this week. It came back to the council with changes after community pushback. The senior member of the council, Kevin McCarthy, tells doubters the ordinance is not the only thing to do to address the issue.

On today's episode, part two of an interview with the head of Illinois' troubled child welfare agency, young entrepreneurs see A-I as a way to help build or replace tomorrow's workforce, and Bloomington-Normal's biggest holiday lights display kicks off this weekend at Miller Park Zoo. 

Bloomington-Normal's biggest holiday lights display kicks off this weekend, with twinkle bulbs and holiday inflatables tucked in every nook and cranny of Miller Park Zoo. Dubbed Wild Lights, Miller Park's Christmas-themed, sparkly wonderland runs Fridays and Saturdays at the zoo, through Dec. 14.