Poll: New strains of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza are prey to conspiracy theories just like with COVID
Bird flu, migration & you: Skepticism, responses, vaccines in today’s society
Nature Rambles: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza spreading in animals
Take care: HPAI virus strains are now a part of ‘our new normal.’ We will need to adapt our agricultural practices to meet this new challenge. We can only hope that wild bird populations will build some type of immunity, or that the virus evolves to be less lethal to its host.
Arts Alerts: Way Down Wanders reopen Scottish Rite; tour Flanagan, Pettingill-Morron houses
‘Bad Luck at the Irish Wake’ murder mystery at Wildlife Prairie Park; Union Avenue and Vinyl Tap ‘Live at the Five Spot’ — Daredevil, Mickey 17, Black Flag, Ash, Snow White hitting your screens
Voter turnout can be key, but it’s often disappointing
United States sagging in middle of the pack as far as participation in the electoral process: Peoria County has about 135,265 people age-eligible to vote, and since the Peoria Election Commission reports 117,217 registered voters, more than 18,000 Peoria County adults are not even registered.
The Lion’s Den: A new Southern Strategy projecting itself on 2025
So, has the world changed, and what was lost now forgotten? Could those things have stayed the same and only forgotten? Maybe those things weren’t forgotten, only reimagined and introduced to a new generation.
The Watch: Primary preventing early voting; check out ElectionStats
Certification for the primary will be March 12. By statute, early voting should begin March 7, but 18 counties cannot start early voting until March 17
News analysis: Local media primary coverage decent, April 1 more challenging
Years ago, election nights were “all hands on deck” in newsrooms. This week the Peoria Election Commission posted primary results at 8:34 p.m. Tuesday. WMBD-TV 31 posted a good story about the unofficial results 22 minutes later. Within hours, WEEK-TV 25 and WCBU-FM 89.9 filed stories on Mayor Rita Ali and John Kelly apparently getting the most votes
Inland Art: ‘I AM SOMEBODY’
Nature Rambles: Another cast of characters
Christmas Bird Count reveals 75 species and 10,396 birds as it reminds us of ebbs and flows of our planet’s history
BEWARE of Trump Derangement Syndrome
It’s irrational to believe that because Donald Trump supports a position, that position must be bad and therefore the opposite position must be good.
Forbidden pages: Proud Illinois first to ban book banning
For a year, students in Illinois officially free from extreme state policies that ban books
Undergound Railroad and its Illinois line
State task force recommends highlighting state’s history in fighting slavery because ‘more freedom seekers came through Illinois, Indiana and Ohio than ever went up the East Coast. But that set of stories has never been fully told.”
West Peoria News: City Hall adds to attractive investments at Rohmann and Sterling
Mayor Dillon looking to forward to working in new space; Boy Scout Troop 11 and the Cub Scout Pack 11 are looking to welcome new Scouts
Trio of candidates on ballots for mayor in Peoria primary
Consolidated Primary Election: a nonpartisan ballot containing City of Peoria races for Mayor, City Treasurer and City Council Dist. 2 and a Republican Primary ballot with partisan race for Township Assessor.
The Watch: County plants grant into food desert; City rebuilding Firestation 6
City Council investigates feasibility of casino; plus new reports from Tri-County Planning Commission and Airport Authority
League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria observers attend and report on local government meetings.
The Watch: County Board accounting for American Rescue Plan funds
$300,000 for Comprehensive Planning Process; $1.15M for a new salt storage building; $90,0000 to replace the fuel island at Maxwell Station; $400,000 to complete Phase II of the jail ring road; $1.1M to renovate the probation department
The Watch: Election audit results released
There were 72 ballots from Nov. 5 election that had not been posted because the scanner was not working properly due to operator error.
Spirit of ’76: Lasting legacy of Jimmy Carter leaves us hope for America, but …
President Trump wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Why not sell the gulf’s naming rights to the highest bidder? Can you imagine how much money Trump could raise?
Straight Talk: Bradley hoops fans returning to Hilltop?
Beloved Braves superfan Gene Sidler kept fire alive; now BU basketball worth watching again; plus with Donald Trump elected, we’re on to the next elections
Moonlighting: Partnership at airport gift shop has helped adult learners for 10 years
Proceeds from airport gift shop go to the Moonlight Coalition for Adult Learning programs at Logan Recreation Center and Proctor Recreation Center. Originally established in 1994, Moonlight Coalition offers free tutoring and supplies, and covers the $144 testing fee for all students