Think tank defends crackdown on law-breaking contractors. In Washington, a progressive think-tank is defending President Obama’s executive order cracking down on federal contractors who break labor laws. Karla Walter of the Center for American Progress reminded a House committee of…
Freight Volume Up In Peoria More Growth Projected: Noise and Safety Issues Raised
Pictures rattle on the walls and plates shake in the cabinets at Joann and Galen Siscoe’s home a dozen times each day when freight trains pass on the tracks about 75 feet from their front door. The couple has lived…
Offbeat but not off-balance: Peoria’s NYT bestselling author/illustrator Skottie Young
New York Times best-selling graphic novelist and Peoria illustrator Skottie Young might be offbeat, but he’s not off-balance. Whether work and fun, his job and his family, or words and pictures, Young is about balance, despite a visual style that’s…
2 for 2 in scoops
As exclusively reported in this column by this monthly newspaper, Bradley athletic director Michael Cross is going to be replaced. It was made official with the Cross resignation, Monday, Feb. 16. We also predicted that Bradley president Joanne Glasser was…
Cubs manager has Peoria connection
For years, the Joe Maddon-Peoria story has been that in 1984 Maddon introduced himself to the new Peoria Suns owner Pete Vonachen by saying, “Hi, I’m Joe Maddon, and I’m your manager. I just want you to know that I’ve…
Illinois women & access to abortion: Determined by federal law, personal bank account or someone else’s religion?
Gov. Bruce Rauner has not definitively confirmed or denied he is prochoice. His first state-of-the-state address focused on lots of choices but not choice to have an abortion. Rauner is a millionaire pragmatist. Money has meaning to him. The “burdensome”…
Injustice pervasive in the justice system
Injustice Pervasive in the Justice System Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, made a rare public appearance at Bradley University Feb. 12. It was standing room only in the Michel Student…
Strong unions are an important part of true employee empowerment
By Nancy Long To hear Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposal to allow local governments to establish “employee empowerment” zones where employees could get all the benefits of union membership without paying union dues, one would think he is acknowledging the benefits…
Communications beyond our silos
We developed silos to effectively store items, like harvested crops, in bulk supply. Here in the Midwest they are easily identified, as we drive through our states labeled as the “breadbasket” that feeds the world. In doing so, we cross…
Serendipity for March 2015
In 1966 when I was 18, I traveled on a cruise ship to visit my sister and her family living in the Philippines. It was a marvelous adventure after the seasickness subsided. An infirmary visit and medicine helped tremendously. The ship I was…
A society blossoms in Peoria
Aged hands clasped the black leather-bound book as a thin-framed man walked along the bustling streets of downtown Peoria. His destination was the great archives at the Public Library. His mission was to preserve over 40 years of memories for…
West Peoria News for March
View the cityofwestpeoria.com for all information on snow issues. It has been listed here several times and also in the West Peoria News. You can reference whatever you need at the city website which is likely easier to locate than…
Theater roundup
Peoria Players has given us the yin and yang of Weimar Germany with its recent offerings of “The Sound of Music” and “Cabaret.” TSOM is all country, set in the Alps of Salzburg with singing nuns, children, true love…
Arts Beat for March
MUSIC March 1: Bradley Symphony Orchestra’s Music Scholarship Concert Series – Concerto Aria Competition Concert. 3 p.m. Bradley University’s Dingeldine Music Center. 677-2595. March 6: The Smokers. 8 p.m. Rhythm Kitchen Music Café. 676-9668. March 7: Cousin Eddie. 8 p.m.…
Innovation inspiration
Imagination creates possibilities. As Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world.” Sadly much of our educational system was designed around a process…
Canadian Tar Sands Pipeline A Threat to Mahomet Aquifer, Scientist Contends
Central Illinois is now a major transportation route for Canadian Tar Sands crude oil, with Enbridge Inc. sending up to 880,000 barrels a day through pipeline constructed above the Mahomet Aquifer. The Mahomet supplies ground water for residents in 14…