https://www.wglt.org/local-news Local News en-US Copyright Wed, 29 Jul 2026 22:50:06 GMT https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-29/mclean-county-penguin-project-launches-theater-program-for-adult-performers-with-disabilities The Penguin Project of McLean County is launching Penguin Players, a new community theater program designed for performers with disabilities who are 22 years and older. The chapter's existing theater program, which modifies full-scale musicals for the stage, serves performers ages 10 to 24. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 22:50:06 GMT https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-29/mclean-county-penguin-project-launches-theater-program-for-adult-performers-with-disabilities Courtney Conroy https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-29/stone-snow-reunites-with-half-hazard-press-as-micro-music-venue-relaunches-in-bloomington A Cincinnati-based Americana duo which once called Bloomington-Normal home is returning to play in the Twin Cities next month — in a venue they helped launch that's been on hiatus since the COVID-19 pandemic. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 22:38:35 GMT https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-29/stone-snow-reunites-with-half-hazard-press-as-micro-music-venue-relaunches-in-bloomington Lauren Warnecke, Courtney Conroy https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-29/first-look-shows-recidivism-holding-steady-in-mclean-county New data spanning more than two decades of court records in McLean County shows two-thirds of people convicted on criminal charges do not reoffend. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:16:41 GMT https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-29/first-look-shows-recidivism-holding-steady-in-mclean-county Lauren Warnecke https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-29/why-firing-a-teacher-in-illinois-is-so-hard-even-after-early-red-flags A powerful teachers' union and Illinois law put up many barriers to firing tenured teachers, even ones with documented patterns of alleged misconduct. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:12:42 GMT https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-29/why-firing-a-teacher-in-illinois-is-so-hard-even-after-early-red-flags Lauren Warnecke, Eric Stock https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-29/states-attorney-is-using-foia-to-seek-unit-5s-communications-with-wglt-about-chiddix-teachers Unit 5 said it does not know the purpose of a FOIA request from the state's attorney's office for its emails, text messages and public records requests between WGLT and the district. It came after WGLT asked about the state's attorney's information sharing with Unit 5. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:51:36 GMT https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-29/states-attorney-is-using-foia-to-seek-unit-5s-communications-with-wglt-about-chiddix-teachers Lauren Warnecke, Eric Stock https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-29/how-siloed-investigations-and-mistrust-left-unit-5-in-the-lurch-in-chiddix-cases A review of dozens of emails and other documents revealed siloed information sharing which kept Unit 5 from knowing what law enforcement and child welfare officials knew about its employees, even when it involved students in their care. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:51:22 GMT https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-29/how-siloed-investigations-and-mistrust-left-unit-5-in-the-lurch-in-chiddix-cases Lauren Warnecke https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-28/chicago-farmer-and-the-fieldnotes-are-parting-ways-after-7-years-and-a-single-album The Bloomington-based band has announced that following its current tour, the Fieldnotes will disband. The group performs in Downtown Bloomington on Aug. 1 with Dan Hubbard as the finale to the Saturdays on the Square concert series. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:38:51 GMT https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-28/chicago-farmer-and-the-fieldnotes-are-parting-ways-after-7-years-and-a-single-album Lauren Fischer https://www.wglt.org/illinois/2026-07-28/pritzker-signs-school-cellphone-ban-to-avoid-student-distractions Students in all Illinois public schools will soon have to abide by rules barring them from using cellphones or other personal electronic communication devices during school hours unless they have been given specific permission to use them. Tue, 28 Jul 2026 21:42:59 GMT https://www.wglt.org/illinois/2026-07-28/pritzker-signs-school-cellphone-ban-to-avoid-student-distractions Peter Hancock https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-28/after-forum-bloomington-normal-unions-endorse-democrats-across-the-board-for-november-elections Bloomington-Normal unions hosted a forum Monday night to hear from candidates for McLean County Board and several countywide positions, including clerk. Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:03:46 GMT https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-28/after-forum-bloomington-normal-unions-endorse-democrats-across-the-board-for-november-elections Braden Fogerson https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-28/the-beach-boys-postpone-summer-tour-dates-to-allow-singer-mike-love-time-to-recharge The Beach Boys' postponed nearly 30 dates of their 2026 North American tour, including in Bloomington. The show at Grossinger Motors Arena has been rescheduled from Aug. 13 to Oct. 9. Original tickets will be honored on the new date. Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:53:03 GMT https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-28/the-beach-boys-postpone-summer-tour-dates-to-allow-singer-mike-love-time-to-recharge Lauren Fischer https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-28/from-the-dawn-of-electronic-library-databases-to-ai-in-only-50-years As the world grapples with the growth of artificial intelligence and changes to work in many fields, it may seem odd that we are only about a half century into the digital era. The first electronic library card catalogs were developing back then. Coincidentally, Milner Library at Illinois State University is 50 years old this month. Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:54:54 GMT https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-28/from-the-dawn-of-electronic-library-databases-to-ai-in-only-50-years Charlie Schlenker https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-27/bloomington-partners-with-habitat-for-humanity-to-build-2-homes-on-trailside-court The city council unanimously approved an agreement with Habitat for Humanity that includes allocating $80,000 to develop two homes on Trailside Court as part of the city's "ReBloom the Block" program. City staff said the infusion of funds will speed up the non-profit's building schedule. Tue, 28 Jul 2026 01:37:51 GMT https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-07-27/bloomington-partners-with-habitat-for-humanity-to-build-2-homes-on-trailside-court Lizzie Seils