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The federal government has issued emergency use authorization for a coronavirus saliva test developed by the University of Illinois for broader use around the state.

The strain on Bloomington-Normal hospitals eased slightly over the weekend due to an apparent drop in the number of COVID-19 patients.

An Illinois Wesleyan alum’s work is up for a Golden Globe for Best Picture (Musical or Comedy). The movie “The Prom” is based off Bill Damaschke’s Broadway musical comedy of the same name.

Journalism is the first rough draft of history. In newsrooms across the country, that first draft has historically been written mostly by white men.

Even with pandemic-driven refunds and rate decreases, State Farm made a lot of money in 2020.

The Bloomington-based company's annual financial report showed net income of $3.7 billion. That's well into positive territory, but down by more than a third from 2019. State Farm's net worth rose by 8.5%—thanks to stock market gains—to $126.1 billion.

The Carle Center for Philanthropy said Friday its VISION 2020 campaign is a success, bringing in more than $36.9 million--above the $35 million goal for the seven-year effort.

A 20-year-old Bloomington man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Friday after pleading guilty to murder for his role in the April 2019 death of Juan Nash at an outdoor party in Bloomington.

UPDATED 4:55 P.M. | The McLean County Health Department (MCHD) plans to resume some first-dose vaccinations next week.

A Bloomington church is hosting a COVID vaccination clinic specifically for Black and brown populations in Bloomington-Normal.

The state of Illinois is expanding eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine starting Thursday, but people with underlying medical conditions will likely still have a difficult time getting the vaccine in McLean County.

McLean County’s hospital bed capacity continues to constrict, even as the county’s testing positivity rate and active caseload remain low.

About 50% of Unit 5 employees have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine so far. 

Speaking to the school board Wednesday night, Superintendent Kristen Weikle said staff vaccinations are “one more step to help us in the return to have more of our students return to in-person learning.”

Weikle said the district has been working with the McLean County Health Department (MCHD) to hold clinics exclusively for Unit 5 employees; 200 district employees received a shot last week, with 200 more scheduled for Thursday. 

Illinois State University plans for a “more traditional campus experience” starting next fall after the coronavirus pandemic pushed most classroom instruction online since last March.

Class action lawsuits were filed in Nevada against 10 major auto insurance companies on Tuesday, including State Farm, contending that the companies charged excessive insurance premiums during the pandemic by failing to account for a drop in driving and crashes.

Home Sweet Home Ministries is using a $75,000 grant to relocate and renovate its Bread For Life Food Co-op.

UPDATED 12:10 P.M. | Hospital bed capacity in Bloomington-Normal remains limited despite a steady decline in coronavirus cases.

Unofficial results show Kelby Cumpston and Mollie Ward have won Tuesday's primary election for Bloomington's Ward 7 seat.

McLean County prosecutors call it an unprecedented time in their office.

Gov. JB Pritkzer has signed a criminal justice reform bill spearheaded by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. But questions linger among activists, lawmakers and law enforcement officials over the effects of the bill.