Oltmanns will replace Rhys Lovell, who stepped down after over a decade in the position.

Wheelz brings skating back to the area for the first time in three years, with an inaugural all-day event Sunday in Bloomington. After Skate N Place closed in 2023, the closest permanent rink is nearly an hour away.

Midwest Punk Fest organizer Jeremy Plue is reviving the regional festival after a four-year hiatus. He's also the "chief creative juggernaut" at Meltdown Creative Works and saw an opportunity to bring the festival back in the burgeoning venue.

John Fischer and Jeanne Hamilton both support the "Illinois Digital Library Protection Act." They say it will help keep book publishers from forcing unfair agreements in order for them to offer digital content to patrons.

“The fans stay excited, we stay excited and we keep making records," Phil Lewis from L.A. Guns told WGLT. They play alongside Cinderella's Tom Keifer on May 28 at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.

Ellie Wertz of Honey DEW Acres suggested her 5-acre farm just outside Bloomington-Normal as a spot for Nomad Theatre Company's roaming productions. Co-founder Connie Blick describes it as "kismet."

Six winning artworks will be featured on 988 posters around McLean County. Bloomington nonprofit PATH operates 988 calls for nine Illinois counties, plus 24/7 statewide text-to-chat support.

In a one-time show on June 6, the McLean County Museum of History will serve as the backdrop of a special projection show. Visit BN coordinated the project for ISU fine arts faculty to illustrate and animate images for the show.

Bloomington-Normal native Jennifer Rusk is known around town for her dazzling vocals. As the century-old Community Players Theatre performs the Twin Cities' first-ever "Dreamgirls," she's giving others the spotlight.

An experimental music ensemble made up of high schoolers from Normal has dropped a new LP and is preparing for a concert at the McLean County Museum of History.

As Route 66 turns 100, a new book is expanding the story of the Mother Road by focusing on people often left out of its history. The author will visit Bloomington-Normal on May 2.

The farm bureau said renovations will take place over the next three years. Funding will go toward upgrades, maintenance and new improvements to keep the fairgrounds in good condition.