Climate scientists lose sleep over tipping points, temperature thresholds when crossed initiate self-sustaining, irreversible, and massively-destructive changes in natural systems, such as glaciers and forests. Countless living things will face untimely and unnatural deaths if these systems collapse. New…
People seem divided by possessions. From savers and keepers to “send it on, I’m done with it” to “it’s here somewhere, not sure where.” Genetics may play a role, but there are concessions regardless. I’m in the first group,…
Fall color has definitely been spectacular this year along the bluffs of the Illinois River. There is really never a year that has dreadful fall color. It is just some years stand out from others. This year, we…
I went to the “debate” between Esther Joy King and Eric Sorenson at Bradley on October 3. I regret doing that. I could have stayed home and watched mindless drivel on TV without wasting gas to attend a live event…
“Jazz is the big brother of Revolution. Revolution follows it around,” — Miles Davis Following the end of the Civil War, as Black music continued to evolve, transitioning from the spirituals, blues, and gospel music, a new, freer, unencumbered…
Cannabis, trains and upcoming budgets dominate government agendas this fall. Peoria City Council On Aug. 23, councilors reviewed an ordinance about recreational cannabis businesses. Changes relate to social equity applicants, meaning those who have convictions for cannabis possession and…
It is time to change your clocks to regular time on Nov. 7 from Daylight Savings time to regular time. Set your clocks back one hour. The consolidated elections for the City of West Peoria fall on April 4, 2023.…
Peoria teachers’ unity and community support made the difference in a settlement between the union and the Peoria Public Schools, leaders say. Bargaining started in March, and after 19 stymied negotiating sessions, a mediator was brought in. The third meeting…
Local and federal law enforcement are on alert for disruptions in the Nov. 8 election in Peoria, where threats have included possible attempts to intimidate voters, plus a campaign of correspondence apparently intended to disrupt the election’s preparations and execution.…
Two attempts to block the Nov. 8 referendum on whether or not to keep the Peoria County Auditor office failed in the last month as Judge James Mack denied requests by Peoria County Auditor Jessica Thomas and community advocate Karrie…
The good news is the Peoria Federation of Teachers reached agreement on a new three-year contract with the Peoria School District. Unfortunately, it took months of negotiations, a federal mediator, and the threat of a strike. Once again both sides…
ART The 10-foot artwork “Mars,” by U.K. artist Luke Jerram, is a highlight of “Mars: The Exhibition,” continuing in November at the Riverfront Museum. The interative display will be here through Spring. MUSIC Keith Urban is set to play…
Spending almost half of my life working in a school capacity, I have seen a lot of issues involving children. Lately it seems to have grown strikingly more serious — more aggression, more serious crimes, the anger, the hurt.…
Information is power, it’s said, but increasingly — especially with today’s sophisticated, speedy technology — so is disinformation. In elections, maybe such fearmongering was always powerful. Commentator H.L. Mencken in 1918 wrote, “Democracy tends to degenerate into a mere combat…
Do Republicans have what it takes to control Congress? Will Democrats keep their hold on statewide offices? Casting an uneducated vote, political scientists say, can be worse than not voting. It’s important for the electorate to be knowledgeable of the…
Metro Peoria’s monthly newspaper has compiled a bit of campaign information for some key races affecting central Illinois. Most media attention in campaigns for the Nov. 8 election has focused on the tops of party tickets. In Illinois, that means…
